Fifth Annual Walk for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine

Think Outside the Wall: Two Peoples, One Future

Sunday, May 7, 2006, 1:00pm

1:00 Rally
in Scoville Park, Lake Street & Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL
1:45 Peace Walk
through Downtown Oak Park
3:00 Advocacy Buffet
at First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Avenue

Scheduled Speakers

Ali Abunimah

Roxane Assaf

Phyllis Bennis

Yigal Bronner

Ronnie Gilbert

Danny Glover

On May 7, 2006, Jews, Muslims, Christians, and secularists will assemble to recognize the interdependence of Israeli and Palestinian aspirations; to express solidarity with both peoples; to condemn the use of violence, military force, and oppression; and to support the coexistence of Palestinians and Israelis as equals. Together, we will affirm the efforts of the Palestinians and Israelis working to end the occupation and to establish a peace built on justice and international law.

The Walk for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine is scheduled annually to coincide with the Jewish United Fund’s "Walk With Israel," and is a positive, inclusive alternative to the JUF event.

As Americans, it is our right and duty to challenge our government s grossly unbalanced and counterproductive course and to demand a positive policy that engages with the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. As a diverse group of people united by a dedication to a just, humane, and equitable future for all the people of the region, we can spur a movement toward genuine and lasting peace.

We will begin with a rally at Scoville Park at 1:00. Following the rally, we will step off on the Walk for a Just Peace on a route appx. 1 mile in length in Oak Park. Then we will gather at First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Avenue, for the Potluck Advocacy Buffet/Program, featuring more great speakers, performance, food, music, fellowship, and advocacy opportunities.

Advocacy Buffet and Potluck: Please bring a potluck dish to share. Activism requires all kinds of nourishment; we'll share the table as we share our hopes.

Please Bring Signs and Banners: The organizers of this interfaith walk for peace reject all anti-Jewish and anti-Arab language and symbols. We are committed to nonviolence in word and deed and our goal is to stand against all hatred and to give witness to the dream that all people of faith and of secular commitment can come together in the cause of peace with justice in Israel and Palestine.

About the speakers:

• Ali Abunimah: Co-founder of Electronic Intifada; vice-president of Arab American Action Network; analyst, public speaker, and writer.
• Roxane Assaf (Emcee): Contributor to Washington Report on Middle East Affairs; recipient of Excellence in Journalism Award, National Arab Journalists Association.
• Phyllis Bennis: Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies; author of Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power.
• Yigal Bronner: Israeli Ta'ayush activist opposing the Wall; conscientious objector. Contributing author, The Other Israel and The Politics of Anti-Semitism.
• Ronnie Gilbert: Founding member of celebrated folk-protest group The Weavers; co-founder of Bay Area (California) Women in Black.
• Danny Glover: Film actor and director; board chair of the TransAfrica Forum; ambassador to the UN Development Program, recipient of five NAACP Image Awards.

Sponsoring Organizations:
Action for Justice Committee, St. Giles Family Mass Community
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
American Friends Service Committee
American Task Force on Palestine
Bustan L'Shalom
Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Department of Peace Campaign in Illinois
Diocese of Joliet Peace and Social Justice Ministry
DuPage Peace Through Justice Coalition
8th Day Center for Justice
French Jewish Peace Union
International Solidarity Movement - Chicago
In These Times
Jewish Voice for Peace
Middle East Task Force of the Chicago Presbytery
Middle Eastern Studies' Student Association, University of Chicago
National Organization for Women, West Suburban Chapter
Northern Illinois End The Occupation Coalition
Not in My Name - Chicago Chapter Jewish Voice for Peace
Oak Park Club of the Communist Party USA
Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice
The Olive Branch Chapter, Pilgrims of Ibillin
Pax Christi Illinois
Social Action Committee of the Third Unitarian Church
Support Sanity
Tikkun Community - Chicago Chapter
Visions of Peace with Justice in Israel/Palestine - Boston Chapter Jewish Voice for Peace
West Suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition
(list in formation)