Join Amnesty's Global CEASEFIRE Vigil

[EFerrari]

From Amnesty International:

I am writing to ask you to join Amnesty International’s global vigil calling for an immediate and effective ceasefire to the conflict in Israel and Lebanon and to stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors on both sides. On Monday, August 7, Amnesty International members across the world—including in Israel and in Lebanon—will call for an end to the violence that has claimed so many lives.

The message of this vigil is three-fold:
1) to call for a ceasefire,
2) to demand that all governments stop the supply of arms to the conflict and
3) to stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors from both sides of this conflict.

We have created a special web page to help local groups and activists organize their own vigils. On this page, you can find suggestions for where to hold your vigil, recommendations for visuals, and a suggested passage that will be read at other Amnesty vigils worldwide. You can also find and sign a petition, which will be passed out at the vigils and then sent to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice calling for a ceasefire.

This is an important opportunity for AIUSA members to join the global effort to prevent further civilian casualties in this conflict.

Come stand with us!

http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/israel_lebanon/vigil.html?tr=y&auid=1860505

[EFerrari]

1. Media Advisory here:

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
MEDIA ADVISORY

August 4, 2006

Amnesty International to Hold Worldwide Vigils Calling for
an Immediate Ceasefire in the Lebanon/Israel Conflict
National Vigil to be Held at State Department

(Washington, DC) -- In response to the escalating violence and deaths of civilians in the Lebanon and Israel conflict, Amnesty International will hold vigils on Monday, August 7 to call for an immediate ceasefire, demand all governments stop the supply of arms and stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors from both sides. Amnesty International members will participate in vigils across the globe including Venezuela, United Kingdom, Spain, Chile, France, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Australia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Turkey, Korea and the United States.

In the United States, vigils are scheduled around the country including in New York City, NY, Somerville, MA, San Francisco, CA and the national vigil in Washington, DC at the U.S. State Department from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. U.S. participants will hold candles and signs to show unity with the victims and survivors from Lebanon and Israel. In addition, U.S. participants will send signed petitions to Secretary of State Condoleezza reiterating their calls for an immediate and effective ceasefire and stop the supply of arms to all parties of the conflict. Petitions are available on Amnesty International website, www.amnestyusa.org and will be available at the vigil.

[malaise]

2. I will be there

in my part of the world.

[EFerrari]

5. We usually work at night but that night is clear.

:)

[mom cat]

3. You just beat me to it! I will se what is going on in Boston, There was

also the candlelight vigil on the 6th that you posted in another thread:
Washington DC: White House Vigil To Protest Lebanon Invasion, Commemorate Qana Massacre-Sunday, August 6, 8-10 p.m.

Friday August 04 2006 11:22:55 AM BDT

CAIR

DC: WHITE HOUSE VIGIL TO PROTEST LEBANON INVASION, COMMEMORATE QANA MASSACRE - TOP

The Lebanese American Community of the Washington Metropolitan Area, in association with Arab-American associations and human rights activists, is organizing a Silent Vigil in protest of the invasion of Lebanon and in commemoration of the Qana massacre, one week after.

WHEN: Sunday, August 6, 8-10 p.m.
WHERE: We will meet in Farragut Square Park at K Street and Connecticut Ave, N.W., across the street from Farragut North Metro Station. At sunset, we will walk as a group to the White House with lighted candles, where the vigil will end at 10 p.m.

The purpose of the vigil is:

* To demand an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon
* To mourn and express outrage at the loss of innocent civilian lives in Lebanon
* To condemn the internal displacement of one-third of the population of Lebanon
* To deplore the systematic destruction of the country
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1818558&mesg_id=1818676

[EFerrari]

4. Ack! They aren't the same event. Well, that gives people

more ops to participate.

:kick:

[mom cat]

6. That is why I reposted your other one.

:hug:

[EFerrari]

7. Media Advisory on Qana Investigation:

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

August 3, 2006

IDF Inquiry Into Qana a Whitewash, Amnesty International Fears; Organization Calls for Independent Investigation

(Washington, DC) -- An investigation carried out by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) into the air-missile attack on Qana was clearly inadequate and reinforced the need for the urgent dispatch of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC).

"We cannot allow any investigation into the events in Qana to be a whitewash. What is needed here is an independent investigation which can look at all credible reports of serious violations of international humanitarian law taking place in this conflict. Any investigation needs the capacity to cross borders and talk to survivors of the attack as well as to the forces involved," said Kate Gilmore, Executive Deputy Secretary General of Amnesty International.

"It is not enough that the Israeli army investigates themselves. Israel has a history of either not investigating civilian deaths or conducting similarly flawed inquiries."

The results of the IDF investigation state that the IDF "operated according to information that the building was not inhabited by civilians." Yet survivors of the attack interviewed by Amnesty International researchers in Qana shortly after the bombing stated that they had been in the building for some two weeks and that their presence must have been known to Israeli forces whose surveillance drones frequently flew over the village.

Amnesty International declared that issuing warnings to the civilian population to leave the area does not absolve Israel of its responsibilities under customary international humanitarian law. Intentionally launching a disproportionate or indiscriminate attack or intentionally directing attacks at civilians or civilian objects is a war crime. Amnesty International stated that the concept of "free-fire" zones is incompatible with international humanitarian law

http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/document.do?id=ENGUSA20060803001

[mom cat]

8. Here is the link to their on line petition:

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=goJTI0OvElH&b=953489&template=x.ascx&action=7211
Please sign and circulate!

[EFerrari]

9. Kick

We had suddenly become not UN troops and journalists but Westerners, Israel's allies, an object of hatred and venom. One bearded man with fierce eyes stared at us, his face dark with fury. "You are Americans", he screamed at us. "Americans are dogs. You did this. Americans are dogs."

-- Robert Fisk, Qana

Warning: graphic

http://www.bintjbeil.com/E/occupation/robert_fisk_qana.html

[EFerrari]

10. Kick

[EFerrari]

11. Kick for visibility.