Yeah, I like their fair trade chocolate too, but I'll need to find a better source. Global Exchange has crossed the line. Today, they sent out an announcement:
"Don't Harmonize With Apartheid"
Sun, Feb 27, 2011 6:00 pm
Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness @ Civic Center
San Francisco
Boycott the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on its US Tour!
Bring your pots and pans, kazoos, ukuleles, whistles, creativity and everything else needed for a cacaphonic protest
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel has issued an appeal to BDS activists in the United States to boycott the US tour of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) in February and March 2011, due to its complicity in whitewashing Israel's persistent violations of international law and human rights. The IPO is scheduled to perform in Palm Beach, New York, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
The IPO is one of the flagship institutions of the Israeli state, tracing its history to the 1930's under the British Mandate. The IPO Foundation describes the orchestra as "Israel's musical ambassador." .
An organization with a slogan "building people to people ties" is advocating the disruption of a cultural event that has the express purpose of, wait for it "building people to people ties" . years ago, the Philharmonics famed "Keynote" program ran program for Israeli and Palestinian children. One concert, for children of the Dheisheh Refugee Camp, was a multi-cultural, bi-lingual encounter featuring the IPO percussion section and an ensemble of Arab musicians from Nazareth. Rather than encourage this kind of activity, Global Exchange is proposing a disruption.
What can you do?
If you aren't busy Sunday night, pick up tickets for the Philharmonic. Davies Hall is a wonderful venue for a concert.
Can't make it to San Francisco? Pick up the phone. Global Exchange has stores throughout the country, as well as a thriving catalog business. Use their 800 number- 1 800 497 1994. Tell them you shop their stores or their catalogs regularly. Tell them how deeply offended you are that they are encouraging the disruption of a cultural event. Tell them you aren't planning on shopping there ever again.
And please, pass the word on to your friends.
Thank you!
4 comments:
speaking of BDS, it's supposed to be Israel "apartheid" week March 1 - 9. does any body know any details about what's gonna to be going on?
University of California at Berkeley Students for Justice in Palestine presents
ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK at UC Berkeley 2011
March 1-March 9
Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is an annual international series of events held in cities and campuses across the globe. The aim of IAW is to educate people about the nature of Israel as an apartheid system and to build Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns as part of a growing global BDS movement. Last year, Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) took place in more than 40 cities across the globe.
IAW 2011 takes place following two years of incredible successes for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement on the global level. Lectures, films, performances, and actions will highlight some of these successes along with the many injustices that continue to make BDS so crucial in the battle to end Israeli Apartheid.
Join us in making 2011 a year of struggle against apartheid and for justice, equality, and peace!
We hope that you are able to join us for some or all of our exciting events we've planned for Israeli Apartheid Week! Break free from Apartheid!
Week 1 Events
Tuesday, March 1:
Night: Susan Abulhawa, "Telling the Palestinian Story"
When: 630 pm
Where: Boalt Hall Room 105 (Boalt School of Law @ Bancroft & College)
**Palestinians are not always given the opportunity to share their experience and their struggle. In Susan's best seller book Mornings in Jenin, she expresses fully the human dimension of the Palestinian struggle. Come and listen to Susan tell the Palestinian story.
fb event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137663569634700
Wednesday, March 2nd: Fight for Public Education and Free Speech
When: 8am-5pm
Where: Memorial Glade
Thursday, March 3: "VOICES OF RESISTANCE" CONCERT Presenting Lowkey, Shadia Mansour, Logic, and Jody McIntyre
When: 700 pm
Where:Multicultural Community Center, 2nd Floor, MLK Student Union (Telegraph & Bancroft)
**Inspirational and revolutionary hip hop artists Lowkey, Shadia Mansour, and Logic and revolutionary journalist/activist Jody Mcintyre team up for a joint musical and educational tours. You don't want to miss this
Week 2 Events
Monday, March 7: Movie screening of Soweto to Berkeley followed by a panel of UC Berkeley student activists speaking on Palestine, Berkeley and Apartheid
When: 700 pm
Where: 106 Moffit
**Soweto to Berkeley - a documentary which explores the student protests and debates at UC Berkeley during 1985-86, which led to the Board of Regents' decision to withdraw $3.1 billion in funds from companies doing business in South Africa. Interspersed with scenes of demonstrations, debates, and violent clashes with police, are speeches by South African Bishop Desmond Tutu and Berkeley Free Speech activist Mario Savio. 50 minutes
Tuesday, March 8: Diana Buttu speaking on"Uprisings in the Arab world and What's Behind the Negotiations? with poet/activist Maria Poblet
When: 700 pm
Where: First Congregational Church of Berkely, 2345 Channing Way @ Dana, tickets: $15, $10 low income/students. Tickets at www.mecaforpeace.org
**The Middle East Children's Alliance presents DIANNA BUTTU - legal advisor to the PLO negotiating Israel 2000-2005 (and the only woman present); Palestinian commentator on CNN, BBC, MSNBC, Al Jazeera; and currently at the Kennedy School of Government - speaking on uprisings in the Arab world and What's Behind the Negotiations?
Wednesday, March 9: Panel on Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) with Dr. Hatem Bazian (UC Berkeley), Mira Nabulsi (SFSU), Ziad Abbas (MECA)
When: 700 pm
Where: BOALT HALL ROOM 100
**Come and listen to our wonderful panel discuss Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).
You might want to call Global Exchange and remind them of Section 403 of the California Penal Code
Every person who, without authority of law, willfully disturbs or breaks up any assembly or meeting that is not unlawful in its character, other than an assembly or meeting referred to in Section 302 of the Penal Code or Section 18340 of the Elections Code, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Since they sent out the email, they might also be guilt of Conspiracy, pursuant to Section 182 (a) (1)
(a) If two or more persons conspire:
(1) To commit any crime
Just a happy little reminder
Tickets at Davies Hall cost up to $1,880-$10,000 (two performance tickets and pre-concert supper), and the shows sold out! Some people support Israel by standing with a flag or a sign. Some people support Israel by spending $10,000 for symphony tickets. But however you support the only democracy in the Middle east, keep it up!
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