[R-G] Action: Speak Out Against Gaza Blockade, Raise Awareness

[james m nordlund]

January 24, 2008 Forward to a Friend Support CAIR Contact Us
Action Alert #530: Raise Awareness, Speak Out Against Gaza Blockade

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 01/24/08) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR) is calling on khateebs to devote their Friday khutbas tomorrow to
raising awareness about the situation in Gaza, and educating their
congregations about what positive steps (included below) they can take to
help alleviate the humanitarian crisis there.

For more information on the Gaza Crisis, see:

CAIR Calls on Bush Administration to Prevent Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza


UN Rights Body Condemns Israel Over Gaza (AP)

Red Cross Warns of Gaza Crisis (AP) 

CAIR is also urging the community to continue to contact your elected
representatives and write letters to your local newspapers to advocate for
an end to the illegal blockade and the restoration of essential services
that have since been halted. 

A sample letter you can personalize and send to your representatives is
available below.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:

1. WRITE to your elected officials (one U.S. Representative and 2 U.S.
Senators) to demand an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

- Click here to download a sample letter from our website.

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=763&&ArticleID=24097&&name=n&&currPage=1

- Click here to find your representative.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

- Sign and mail/fax the letter. Continue to call.

2. WRITE a letter to the editor. 

- Go online to find letter requirements for your local newspaper or call
the paper and ask for the Letters Editor.

Talking points:

* As a concerned American, I support an immediate end to the illegal
Israeli blockade in Gaza.

* Our nation and its leaders cannot and should not remain silent as an
illegal humanitarian disaster unfolds in Gaza. Collective punishment is
always counterproductive and only serves to block moves toward a just
resolution of any conflict.

* Because American taxpayers provide Israel with billions of dollars of
economic support each year, we have the right to demand that those funds
not be used to increase human suffering. 

* Israel must abide by international law and universal standards of human
rights. We call on President Bush to demand the immediate end of Israel’s
blockade.

* Silence from American officials will only serve to increase the
perception worldwide that our nation cares little for the suffering of the
Palestinian people. 

* The perception that the U.S. abets cruel and inhumane treatment of
civilian populations provides fodder for anti-Americanism that may
threaten the security of the United States. 

3. INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY by forwarding this alert to at least
five other people. Tell them you took action and ask them to do the same.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
mutual understanding.

Forward to a friend | Visit our web site 
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Ave, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003
Council on American-Islamic Relations Copyright © 2007 All rights
reserved. 


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