This is frustrating, but not entirely unexpected: no delegation, large or small, that entered Gaza over the past 12 months has ever received a final OK before arriving at the Rafah border. Most delegations were discouraged from even heading out of Cairo to Rafah. Some had their buses stopped on the way. Some have been told outright that they could not go into Gaza. But after public and political pressure, the Egyptian government changed its position and let them pass.

 The efforts and plans of the Michigan Peace Team will not be altered at this point. But we need your help! Public Pressure does work!

We have set out to break the siege of Gaza and march on December 31 against the blockade. We are continuing in the same direction.

http://www.mfa.gov.eg/MFA_Portal/en-GB/mfa_websits/

Contact the Palestine Division in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo  Ahmed Azzam, tel +202-25749682 Email: ahmed.azzam@mfa.gov.eg

In the U.S., contact the Egyptian Embassy, 202-895-5400 and ask for Omar Youssef or email omaryoussef@hotmail.com

Thanks friends! (sample letter below)

* * Sample text  **

I am writing/calling to express my full support for the December 31, 2009 Gaza Freedom March. I urge the Egyptian government to allow the 1,300 international delegates to enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt.

The aim of the march is to call on Israel to lift the siege. The delegates will also take in badly needed medical aid, as well as school supplies and winter jackets for the children of Gaza.

Please, let this historic March proceed.

Thank you.

Dear Friends,

A little under a year ago I did a 5 day water fast in Solidarity with the people of Gaza who had been living under a brutal blockade. A fast seemed an appropriate symbolic gesture because the blockade created a situation where the people in Gaza have no choice but do without enough food.

I figured the small symbol would start conversations, and raise some measure of awareness. I was listening to on the ground reports from friends in Gaza and reading reports from Amnesty International, and other human rights groups and thinking. “It can’t get any worse.”

How wrong I was.

How much worse it got!

On December 27th, Israel began a premeditated air, land, and sea assault on Gaza that reduced large areas to rubble. In three weeks Israeli forces killed 1,417 Palestinians – 313 of them children – and injured 5,303. Palestinians killed 9 Israelis during this time. Israeli strikes damaged and destroyed huge numbers of homes, causing a third of all Gazans to be displaced at some point during the assault. According to the WHO, “Vital infrastructure has been compromised or destroyed, resulting in a lack of shelter and energy sources, deterioration of water and sanitation services, food insecurity and overcrowding.”

And the blockade continues.

One of the world’s leading authorities on Gaza, Sara Roy of Harvard University, has said that the consequence of the siege “is undeniably one of mass suffering, created largely by Israel, but with the active complicity of the international community, especially the U.S. and European Union.”

As Israel continues to defy international law and the governments of the world stand by and watch – or contribute to the suffering -it has become up to us, “ordinary citizens”, people of conscience to end the illegal and immoral blockade. We must work together in Solidarity.

That is why this December MPT will answer the call of Palestinian civil society, joining with Palestinian leaders, Israeli peace activists and people of conscience from across the globe to break the blockade; entering Gaza and marching with Palestinians to Erez (border crossing to Israel) .

The Gaza Freedom March is inspired by decades of nonviolent Palestinian resistance. It is this Palestinian leadership that calls us to March in the spirit of Gandhi’s salt march and the countless marches for civil rights in the United States. We, at MPT know we must go.

And I know that I must be a part of this.

I hope you want to be a part of it too. Because we know we can not do this with out YOU. We need your support. We need you to be a part of this historic event. We need your voices, your prayers, and yes – your financial support.

Will you make a donation? Will you join us in this effort to do what the governments of the world will not – to uphold international law, end the siege and bring the messages of hope necessary for true justice and peace to take hold?

Please consider being a part of this work in the following ways:

* Make a financial contribution to the team. Send a check to Michigan Peace Team with “Gaza team – Sheri ” in the memo or make a contribution on line from our website http://www.michiganpeaceteam.org/ (again be sure to note “Gaza team- Sheri ” in the notes)

 * Providing an opportunity for me or other MPT members to speak upon our return

* And, of course, your prayer support is needed and appreciated.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. In Peace and gratitude, Sheri

PS – One of the challenges we often face as we do this work is the ecological footprint of our travels. Perhaps you might also contribute to our work by helping to off-set this. Consider walking someplace you might drive, turning down the heat, or planting a tree this spring. For more information on Michigan Peace Team visit http://www.michiganpeaceteam.org/  for more info. on the Gaza Freedom March, http://www.gazafreedommarch.org/article.php

Dear Friends,

Since 2003 when MPT sent our first team to Gaza I knew one day I would be called to go. Now is that time. MPT must return, and I find myself knowing I must be a part of this team.

The people of Gaza are suffering.

Amnesty International has called the Gaza blockade a “form of collective punishment of the entire population of Gaza, a flagrant violation of Israel’s obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention.” Human Rights Watch has called the blockade a “serious violation of international law.” The United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Richard Falk, condemned Israel’s siege of Gaza as amounting to a “crime against humanity.”

As Israel defies international law and the governments of the world stand by and watch – or contribute to the suffering -it has become up to us, “mere mortal citizens”, people of conscience to end the illegal and immoral blockade. We must work together in Solidarity.

That is why this December MPT will answer the call of Palestinian civil society, joining with Palestinian leaders, Israeli peace activists and people of conscience from across the globe to break the blockade; entering Gaza and marching with Palestinians to Erez (border crossing to Israel) .

The Gaza Freedom March is inspired by decades of nonviolent Palestinian resistance. It is this Palestinian leadership that calls us to March in the spirit of Gandhi’s salt march and the countless marches for civil rights in the United States.

We, at MPT know we must go. And I know that I must be a part of this. I hope you want to be a part of it too.

Because we know we cannot do this without YOU. We need your support. We need you to be a part of this historic event. We need your voices, your prayers, and yes – your financial support.

Will you make a donation? Will you join us in this effort to do what the governments of the world will not – to uphold international law, end the siege and bring the messages of hope necessary for true justice and peace to take hold?

Please consider being a part of this work in the following ways:

* Make a financial contribution to the team. Send a check to Michigan Peace Team with “Gaza team – Sheri ” in the memo or make a contribution on line from our website http://www.michiganpeaceteam.org/ (again be sure to note “Gaza team- Sheri ” in the notes)

* Host an MPT speaker at your home, congregation, or other place you may gather with your community. Pass a basket for contributions to the trip

* Pass this request on to others who you know want to be a part of ending the suffering for the people of Palestine and Israel

* And, of course, your prayer support is needed and appreciated.

Thank you for being a part of this journey.

In Peace and gratitude, Sheri

PS – One of the challenges we often face as we do this work is the ecological footprint of our travels. Perhaps you might also contribute to our work by helping to off-set this. Consider walking someplace you might drive, turning down the heat, or planting a tree this spring.

For more information on Michigan Peace Team visit http://www.michiganpeaceteam.org/ for more info. on the Gaza Freedom March, http://www.gazafreedommarch.org/article.php

I was reminded this week that there are many forms of occupation. I was reminded that it is all connected.

 It’s a longer story, but a friend is having some trouble with the county parks department where he lives. Seems they want to put in a bike path. Seems they believe in order to do this they need to tear out the family’s garden. This magical, beautiful, edible, herbal, healing garden. They will also take out his neighbor’s driveway. Now don’t get me wrong – I’m all for bike paths, and sidewalks and all that. The thing is there are already 2 bike paths and a sidewalk there. A 4^th is not needed,  it is not wanted by the neighborhood.

 I’m not super clear – but there is some dispute as to who “owns” the land. Maps and survey’s vary… the county, the homeowners, some joint partnership. The path of the river was changed and the near-by beach built up for a park so naturally the surrounding land changed also. The part that is clear is that more cement and concrete are not needed and not wanted

No one can honestly answer “why” — but I predict once the garden is gone the county will have all kinds of reason to bring in businesses…. hot dogs and hot pretzels, ice cream, boat or bike rentals ….. the beach business can be booming. Or it could just be sheer vindictiveness and a power play on the part of the county. My friends are not the “sit quietly by and do nothing type” and have – I imagine – been willing to call the county out when the occasion was right.

 We anticipated the bulldozers were coming when we, neighbors, friends, family… community, gathered at Jasiu and Kerry‘s house that Monday AM. On Friday the destruction crew had arrived and when Jasiu has stood in front of them and blocked their path they promised to return Monday. He called us. We came.

 Monday found me sitting on Kerry and Jasiu’s deck surrounded by those that love them – family, other members of our MPT community. Those that live in the home or visit often and “know their way around” kept us supplied with coffee or cool drinks, breakfast with homemade pear butter (pears from the garden of course) and later lunch.

Throughout the day friends, neighbors, and community members stopped by to check-in and offer their support. Some offered buckets, and shovels, hands and help to dig up plants and move them before the bulldozers crushed them. Others brought a willingness to stand in front of the bulldozers with Jasiu – risking arrest to stand in solidarity and do what we could to protect such sacred space. Neighborhood folks brought stories: of their own, of their parents and grandparents….stories of neighborhood history and neighbors working together.

 I could not help but think about Palestine. And while I don’t mean to minimize the occupation, the daily oppression, the destruction of homes. The similarities were too strong to ignore.

We sat in the sunshine enjoying each others company –laughing and sharing stories of hope and resistance -while at the same time waiting, anxious, sad/angry/frustrated for the machines to come. Waiting for the destruction of something sacred and beautiful – the garden. Waiting to see if our attempts to stop that would be successful or a symbolic act of solidarity and resistance. And I was reminded of sitting with Palestinian families enjoying each others company –laughing and sharing stories of hope and resistance -while at the same time waiting, anxious, sad/angry/frustrated for the machines to come. Waiting for the destruction of something sacred and beautiful – their home, their olive grove their fields. Waiting to see if our attempts to stop that would be successful or a symbolic act of solidarity and resistance.

 As Kerry, Jasiu and Melody refilled coffee cups and offered hospitality while facing the loss of something so dear I recalled the incredible hospitality of the families I stayed with in Palestine. Of the seemingly never ending rounds of coffee and tea and anything the family could bring forth to share.

 And as neighbors, family and friends came by — some for just a few minutes, others to stay the day – to offer support in whatever way they could. I thought of the neighbors and families in Palestine who came sit , to cry, to laugh and to be with those who were the current target for the hostility of the Israeli forces.

 Yep -occupation takes many forms. It is all connected. And while resistance takes many forms too – I am reminded it too is connected. It is connected by love and hope.

I had a long talk with a good friend this afternoon. We were on the phone over 2 hours in spite of the fact that both of us have huge to-do lists this weekend, and giant deadlines hanging over out heads.

We had also both had long weeks. Really really long weeks.

I needed our talk. I think she did too. It was good.

We easily moved in and out of deep listening and beaming caring loving attention to one another and casual back and forth banter interrupting both ourselves and each other with “that reminds me” , “oh shit I’ve been meaning to tell you” , “the dogs just….”

Close my eyes and I could forget it was a phone we were talking over rather than the spance of the kitchen floor.

How good to have friends we can connect to in that way. I know, such an obvious statement. And yet, I think of how I take this for granted.

I knew Jen when she was a mess – I think it is okay that I write that here. Hell, she has known me when I was a mess. (And we’ll probably both be a mess again….) Point here is neither of us is a mess now – and that is both a testament to our strength as individuals and as women and to the type of friendship we have.

It is a joy to have remained connected to (or reconnect with ) friends from so many parts of my life. So many different lives- in a way. I find myself thinking about how they all know different parts of my story. And how those parts weave together. I find myself incredibly grateful.

So, dear friends – should you happen to be reading this thank you. I am because we are. And I am grateful.

I had tea with a friend the other day and she was talking about this cool thing she is doing – walking 1000 miles for peace over the course of a year.  (Starting and ending on her birth day.)  She asked me if I might be willing to write something up on how I define peace or what I think a peace might be. She mentioned that I seem like someone with lots to say — which is such a kind and diplomatic way to say “hey, you’re opinionated and have a big mouth” that I could hardly refuse.

 Plus, the question stuck and it’s been rattling around in my head off and on. It’s gonna stick there ‘til I look at it so here goes. (Oh, and I fully acknowledge that if you ask me next week this post might look totally different… my definition, like myself is a work in never ending process… and hopefully progress!)

 An initial “brain dump” looks something like  this :

Peace is: active, indivisible from justice, creative, willing to be confrontational, flexible, avoids either or thinking, hard work, fun, forgiveness, sacred, connections, interconnected, being in right relationship, embraces conflict as a necessary force for transformation, muddy, Gandhi called nonviolence an experiment with truth, calling people to act from their highest selves, assuming goodness/good intentions, “I will not harm you”, chaos, organized and strategic, embrace contradictions, holding accountable ourselves and each other, community, constructive, challenging…

 I could write an entire essay on each of those words. (And that was just what came out in 2 minutes) But, I guess for me, at the heart of it peace has something to do with the sacred interconnectedness of all living things. It is about honoring that interconnectedness. Someone – at some meeting somewhere along the line – spoke about peace as being in “right relationship” with each other. That fits too. It seems to me that striving to be in right relationship with myself, with others, and with nature/the environment is a way of honoring that sacred interconnectedness.

According to my friend, Melissa (age 10) “peace is joy, happiness, and freedom from evil.” My other friend, Melissa’s sister Evelyn (age 8 ) adds “peace is being in nature. Also peace is being fair.”

Smart and articulate friends I have!

What is your definition?

That’s when things get odd. As I step out into the small parking lot I witness an accident. Simple fender bender – Woman backed up into the car behind her, which was awfully close -no one is hurt and I see no damage to either car. But, both drivers JUMP out of their cars screaming. The man in the car that she bumped angrily approaches her. Shit, I better stick around I think. He is yelling and when he is awfully close he points a finger. “Stupid ______ Bitch” he yells, inserting a racial slur to add to the injury.

Me and my box of burritos move closer. She moves to hit him. Me and my box of burritos squeeze in between them. And she hits me.

It was as if someone had stopped time. We all stand for a moment. Mouths opened and frozen. I think we were all equally surprised.

Which is funny. I know doing this I can get hit. I train people to do this. I tell them – you might get hit. Yet I find myself utterly shocked by this turn of events.

After a moment of stunned silence the woman says “ I… I hit you.” To which I reply “Yes, yes you did.”

Another moment of silence and the man says “She. Hit. You.” I resist the sudden urge to say “Well, she meant to hit you – and you deserved it.” I file this in the “unhelpful comments” file I keep in my brain and instead reply again; “yes. Yes she did.”

“I think. I think I have to go he stammers.” and quickly leaves. (All thoughts of the accident and his car apparently forgotten.) She and I stand there a moment longer – me with my big box of burritos. And she offers to get me some ice, and asks what else she can do.” She gets me ice and I assure he I will be fine.

“ I think I have to go too” she says. I almost wonder if she is okay to drive. In hindsight I think I should have insisted she sit a moment. But, by now I was just feeling the need to get the food back to the training so we both went on our way.

Sometimes you might get hit.

I’d never been hit in the face before. It hurt. But ya know.. It is okay. I am okay. I’ve was hit. And I’m okay…

No big fight in the parking lot. No one seriously hurt. No police. Violence interrupted. Sometimes you might get hit. And sometimes it is worth it.

And happily I never dropped the burritos ‘cuz they were good.

For approximately 30 years Mother’s day was celebrated on June 2^nd as an day of activism.In 1914 – four years after Julia Ward Howe’s death – president Woodrow Wilson capitalized on the success of the movement she, Reeves Jarvis and others had started when he declared the first national mothers’ day:

 Julia Ward Howe’s original Mother’s Day – 1870 (from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day_Proclamation )

 Sadly, yet not surprising Wilson left out the true spirit of Mother’s day. Neglecting to mention the spirit of international cooperation and solidarity, ignoring the hard won victories for improved working conditions, protection for children and improvements in sanitation and social welfare. Wilson left out of his proclamation a tribute the ongoing struggles to put an end to lynching, to militarism and other violence.

Note: A short time ago I posted http://playfulspirit.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/toward-healing-and-empowerment/ “towards healing and empowerment”. A few folks commented and had questions. Below is my response to Mary Mayhem. It may or may not make sense out of the context of the original post – but was far too long for a “comment”.

 Hi Mary, And again – thanks for opening up the chance to clarify this.  I find it hard to explain – to put in to words – even though it is clear in my head.  But here goes yet another attempt… by “my role” I mean several things.

 (1) The simplest of which is that I need to acknowledge to myself that I made some decisions that put me at risk. Acknowledging choices empowers me. I guess in part because I do think it is important that we are aware and think about decisions we make that put us in risky situations — again NOT that we are to blame if we then get hurt. I know every time I pick up a hitchhiker (which I do frequently), walk alone in the dark - especially in areas I don’t know, or do many of the things I do it is a risk. I do NOT think if I’m killed by a hitchhiker it is my fault for picking them up. I do think acknowledging the choice and the risk helps me take “calculated risks” or more to the point risks based on my values and wants not just on “expectations” or whatever

(2) Part of it is because I know when I first started to define what happened as rape people (who were trying to be helpful) kept saying things like “It wasn’t your fault, you were a victim.” There is nothing you could have done?”   This actually was totally disempowering. Yes, there are times when we are powerless, and there are times when “there is nothing we could have done differently” and we still get hurt, violated, oppressed. AND there are times when we do have power, we do have choices but we need to think beyond or differently to see them. (Like the Fort Benning  example… I couldn’t have out run those guys, or done much to physically defend myself so at one level I had no power, no choice… yet really I did.) Again, for me – part of nonviolence is about acknowledging where we do have a choice. And no matter if it is a case of “there is nothing  I could have done differently” or “ I wish I had made different choices” it doesn’t change that it is not my fault.

(3) So often girls and women (not to mention society as a whole ) try to make each other conform to social norms all the time and can victimize each other. We hear not to be a tease, not to dress a certain way, that “good girls don’t…. we criticize others looking too slutty, etc…lots of standards they’re supposed to live up to that are mixed.  Lots of internalized sexism along with the sexism, and patriarchy that is so much of a part “of the water in which we swim” that we might not even notice it. One of the things I really want to think about is how I play a role in maintaining this system…. so that OF COURSE SEXUAL ASSULT IS NOT YOUR FAULT NO MATTER HOW YOU DRESS, WHERE YOU GO, WHAT DECISIONS YOU MAKE  ETC. Of course, it was not my fault.  

And that both on a macro level and in that specific instance and in my life I did (and I am sure still do in countless ways – many of which I am totally unaware of) create and maintain the system that makes sexual violence so common.  I did (at least at first) say “no” when I meant “yes”. I did send mixed signals.  Of course, I had bought into a system that told me I couldn’t say “yes” or “I’m not sure”.

I think the more we “buy in” or perpetuate the “good girls due this and don’t do that and all that crap the more we contribute to a system that sets us up. If ”we can’t really say ‘yes’ or even ‘I’m not sure’ then how can we really say ‘no!’ ? “ Because if ‘no’ is all we are “allowed” to say then it does start to mean lots of different things. Again, not that this gives anyone a right to hurt you and NOT that we should 2nd guess ourselves with “was I clear?”

But wouldn’t it be refreshing and SAFER is we created a world where it is okay to say “yes, that feels good and I want to kiss, I want you to touch me there, I want ______.” So that when we say “NO…. not that” or   “no, I don’t think so” or even “I’m not sure” or “I changed my mind” or whatever it is never filled with mixed meanings.

Not sure if that clarifies or confuses more, but that is the spot I’m at. At least for now. And as I noted in my original post; this is my response, my feelings, my story, it may not ring true for everyone. Each of us who has been victimized needs to come to respond and eventually to move toward healing and empowerment in our own way.