[Quebec] Econ Minister's Office Occupied: Demand to End Ties with Israel

suggested by Dan, re-posted from Anarchist People of Color listserv

Quebec Economic Minister's Office occupied to demand Quebec end economic ties with Israel

Montreal, January 15th, 2009 -- On the twentieth day of Israel's attack on Gaza, a group of Montrealers occupied the office of Quebec's Economic Development Minister Raymond Bachand, calling on the Charest government to immediately end ties with Israel, and specifically withdraw from the Quebec-Israel accord.

"The accord, signed this fall, establishes unconditional economic ties between the two countries," said Marc-André Faucher, spokesperson for ASSÉ, representing over 40,000 Quebec students. "The accord does not include measures to force Israel to respect international law, but provides economic backing and diplomatic cover for current war crimes in Gaza."

Montrealers, including dozens of supporters outside of the offices, sent a clear message to the Charest government by shutting down the minister's office, disrupting its functioning for the day. Demonstrators locked themselves together in the office, chanting "Israël: terroriste! Bachand: complice!" and demanding the Charest government denounce Israel's war crimes that continue unabated in Gaza.

The protesters, who were eventually removed by police without arrests, demanded that Quebec end all economic ties with Israel as part of the international campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli apartheid.

"We demand that the Charest government tear up the Quebec-Israel bilateral accord and condemn Israel's attack on Gaza," outlined Stefan Christoff, from Tadamon! "Given that Bachand has failed to address our demands, Quebec government institutions should expect future disruptions."

Recent accounts of Israel's carnage document over a thousand dead, including 300 children, and more than 5000 wounded in Gaza.

Major protests have ignited worldwide against the ongoing massacre in Gaza, while growing numbers of direct actions against Israeli apartheid have occurred in recent days, including many on the part of the Jewish community who condemn Israel's attack on Gaza.

* Photos of today's action
http://photos.cmaq.net/v/IsraelQuebecAccord/

* For more information:

- l'Association pour une Solidarité Syndicale Étudiante (ASSÉ)
http://www.asse-solidarite.qc.ca/

- Tadamon!
http://www.tadamon.ca
info@tadamon.ca

[NYC] U.S.S. Intrepid Banner Drop: Jewish Solidarity with Palestine

suggested by Hanan, re-posted from
http://jvoices.com/2009/01/16/jato-nyc-gaza-solidarity-banner-dro/

Banner Drop at U.S.S. Intrepid Marks Spread of U.S. Jewish Solidarity With Palestinians

Friday, January 16, 2009

NYC Jews Call for an Immediate End to Israel's War on Gaza

A banner drop over New York City's West Side Highway, carried out by members of Jews Against the Occupation/NYC, declared “Jews Say: End Israel's War on Gaza NOW!” This action by Jewish New Yorkers continued the wave of increasingly public Jewish solidarity with the Palestinians targeted by the Israeli government's ongoing attack on the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 1,000 people, nearly 1/3 of them children.

The banner, which was seen by thousands of commuters during morning rush hour on Friday, January 16th, 2009, expanded the public presence of the many New York Jews who strongly disagree with the self-appointed community spokespeople who have repeatedly expressed support for the bombing and invasion of Gaza. “We are standing up for justice,” said Niuta Teitelboim, one of the JATO/NYC activists, “which is a Jewish tradition that many Jewish organizations seem to have abandoned. Too many have vocally endorsed a war which has involved a continuous string of Israeli war crimes: the mass killings of children and families at UN schools designated as places of refuge; the targeting with bombs and artillery fire of hospitals and ambulances; and most recently the destruction of food and medical aid supplies in a UN facility.”

JATO/NYC placed the banner at the U.S.S. Intrepid to highlight the role of U.S. aid to Israel in the current war and massacres. “Palestinian doctors, ambulance drivers, and children are being killed by bombs paid for with U.S. taxpayers’ money, dropped from planes paid for with U.S. taxpayers’ money, sent by an Israeli administration that could not maintain one of the world's largest militaries without a constant flow of cash from the U.S. treasury,” elaborated R. Rosenthal, another JATO/NYC member involved in the action. “That means all of us are involved in this bloody war. Even if foreclosures and unemployment weren’t decimating our neighborhoods, surely there are better uses for $3 billion a year than helping the Israeli government commit war crimes.”

Over the past week, Jews across North America and Europe have shown their opposition to Israel's latest war, as well as its ongoing military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem and denial of Palestinian refugees right to return home. Jewish groups have held sit-ins at Israeli consulates in Toronto, Los Angeles, and San Francisco; taken it upon themselves to declare the cancellation of a London rally in support of the war; participated actively in the many demonstrations calling for an immediate end to the bombing and invasion of Gaza; and joined the worldwide campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions on Israel until Palestinian rights under international law are respected. “Today’s action is one small contribution to the growing movement in solidarity with the 1.5 million Palestinians being bombed, shelled, and shot by the Israeli army," JATO-NYC member Sholom Schwartzbard explained. "We know from our own history what being sealed behind barbed wire and checkpoints is like, and we know that ‘Never Again’ means not anyone, not anywhere - or it means nothing at all."

[LSE] London School of Economics Occupation for Gaza

suggested by Hanan, re-posted from a Facebook note

P.S. School of Oriental and African Studies in London also had a 24hr occupation, and got all of their demands met.

--------------------------

*The Old Theatre is now under Occupation*

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Over forty pro Palestine students have occupied a lecture theatre at the London School of Economics to demand that the university releases a statement condemning the attack on Gaza and divests from arms companies that supply the Israeli military.

Students entered the Old Theatre and sat down on the stage after the Students' Union passed a motion in support of their demands. A lecture continued as scheduled with the students on the stage.

The group want LSE Director to issue a statement condemning the Israeli violence on Gaza.

"LSE is an institution founded on the Fabian values that were the precursor of the human rights agenda of modern politics. LSE must restate those values and condemn state criminality. It is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity," a spokesperson said.

The group are also demanding that LSE divests from arms firm BAE Systems, an arms company who supply the Israeli military.

"The fact that LSE invests in BAE Systems means that it is directly profiting from the collective punishment of the Gazan people. Our University will remain tainted for as long as it is funded by unlawful military aggression. The LSE must divest from BAE and other arms companeis immeditately.

The LSE also invests in arms companies Boeing, Rolls Royce and BHP Billiton, a firm the School says supplies nuclear material for warheads.

They have also issued several demands related to providing material support for Palestinian students including providing 5 fully paid scholarships for Palestinian students, books and computers for Palestinian universities and facilitation for fund raising activities.

The LSE has said "disowned" the protest and said that it will hold the Students' Union responsible for any damage. It has however said that it will not remove the occupiers and have agreed not to prevent free movement in and out of the occupied theatre.

Over 250 students and academics wrote to Director Howard Davies at the beginning of the year to demand a statement and other demands similar to those being demanded by the occupation. Davies agreed to waiver application fees for students affected by the crisis but refused to issue a condemnatory statement, pledge further material assistance or support divestment from arms firms.

Davies claimed that the School does not take positions on "political issues". This is in stark contrast to an overtly political statement issued by the Davies in May 2007 condemning a UCU (University and College Union) resolution concerning the Israeli Occupation, and previous condemnations by LSE of South African Apartheid and the Tiananmen Square massacre in the 1980's.

* DEMANDS IN FULL *

1) *Statement*
The LSE should release a statement condemning the Israeli attack on Gaza and demanding a ceasefire. LSE is an institution founded on the Fabian values that were the precursor of the human rights agenda of modern politics. LSE must restate those values and condemn state criminality. It is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity. A statement condemning Israeli violence is fully in keeping with the founding principles of our university.

2) *Divestment *
The LSE currently holds investments in BAE Systems, a firm that the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (caat.org.uk) states provides weapons and ammunition for the Israeli military. This means that our university is being directly funded by the Israeli war on Gaza. The LSE must divest from BAE immediately.

3) *5 fully paid scholarships for Palestinian students*
At a University as diverse and international as LSE, Palestinian students are grossly underrepresented in the student body when compared to other groups.

4) *Fundraising day*
The LSE administration should facilitate a 'fundraising day' where buckets will be in every lecture and seminar to collect money for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians

5) *Books and Computers*
The LSE has a £26 million surplus and is lucky enough to be able to regularly invest in new equipment. Any computers or books due to be got rid of at the end of Lent and Summer terms should be donated to the University and to schools that have been bombed in Gaza.

6) *Amnesty*
LSE has a proud history of student activism. Students united to campaign against apartheid, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and more recently around divestment from the arms trade. All students have a democratic right to peaceful protest and students should not be prevented from expressing their opinions by fear of reprisals.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Updates will be available at *http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/
2. It is the official policy of the LSE Students' Union to demand a statement from LSE and demand divestment from arms companies
3. Contact Estelle Cooch; *s.e.cooch@lse.ac.uk* ; 07748874987

---

The motion "Defend Gaza: Condemn Israeli Massacre" *passed in todays UGM*. The Students Union supports the creation of an emergency fund to waive tuition/application fees for Palestinians students affected; support links between LSE faculty and Palestinians universities ; the call to recall our Ambassador, end preferential trade.

With over 1,000 Palestinians killed - 300 of them children - and over 5,000 injured, the Students' Union condemns the Israeli massacre in Gaza. Understanding the sanctity of human beings, students have voted in support of the Palestine Society's declaration that we will not sit by as Israel continues its persecution of 1.5 million Palestinian.

---
* Latest Bombings *

Even by the Israeli Forces' depraved standards, today's bombings reached new lows for the grotesque. Three acts in the last 24 hours show their total lack of humanity and total disregard for the dignity of the dead.

Late yesterday, news reports reached the world of how the Israeli Army had shelled the holy burial grounds at the main Gaza cemetery in northern Gaza City's Sheik Radwan neighbourhood. Even the dead are denied peace.
*http://english.sina.com/world/2009/0114/211603.html*<https://exchange.lse.ac.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://english.sina.com/world/2009/0114/211603.html>

Then the Israeli Air force attacked yet another UN building sheltering 700 refugees. The air strike injured three UN workers and from eyewitness accounts, they used illegal phosphorus bombs. The building hit by the Israeli Air Force also contained tonnes of much needed medical supplies, which now as a direct result of their attack has destroyed these vital supplies.
*
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/15/israel-gaza-offensive-truce-talks
*<https://exchange.lse.ac.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/15/israel-gaza-offensive-truce-talks>

And finally, if the Israeli army doesn't kill you the first time, and you manage to make your way to one of the few remaining medical centres, you'll still not be safe. Today Israeli forces shelled Al Quds hospital making the medical treatment of the innocent victims of Israel's slaughter even tougher. According to the head of emergency services at the hospital, Dr. Bashar Murad, two of the Israeli missiles used also included white phosphorus.

---

*Please come join the occupation of the Old Theatre!*

In solidarity

LSESU Palestine Society
(from the Old Theatre)

[L.A.] Jews Shut Down Israeli Consulate for 3 Hours

re-posted from APOC listserv

January 14, 2009

JEWS SHUT DOWN ISRAELI CONSULATE FOR 3 HOURS:

10 JEWS CHAIN TOGETHER TO BLOCK DRIVEWAY AND ENTRANCE

Early this morning, Jewish activists in a historic first in Los Angeles, chained themselves to the entrance of the Israeli Consulate and blocked the driveway to the parking structure, blocking all traffic in and out of the building. "We sent a clear message to the world that LA Jews are part of the global majority in opposition to the Israeli siege of Gaza," said Lenny Potash a 72-year old protester who was cuffed to eight other activists, blocking the driveway to the consulate. The activists were joined by 50 other supporters and who chanted "LA Jews say, End the Siege of Gaza" and "Not in Our Name! We will Not be Silent!" Protesters also held up signs reading "Israeli Consulate: Closed for War Crimes."

"We succeeded today in letting Jews and other Americans of conscience know that it is safe to speak out against the policies of the Israeli government and that the Israeli lobby does not speak for everyone," said Robin Ellis, a Registered Nurse who also risked arrest to block the consulate entrance. "We are committed to escalating non-violent activities in the future to end the siege and win justice for Palestinians," Ellis said.

The group of activists were an ad-hoc, multi-generational group of LA Jewish residents, including members of the recently founded International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. They shared a commitment to ending the Israeli siege on Gaza and an end to Israeli apartheid. The demonstration will kick off a wave of demonstrations across the United States uniting Palestinians, Jewish people, and other Americans outraged by the siege.

"We are shocked and outraged at Israeli's latest act of violent aggression against the Palestinian people. Killing over 950 people, including 250 women and children, bombing schools and mosques and then calling it self-defense—that is the worst kind of hypocrisy. It also amounts to war crimes," said Hannah Howard, a local member of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. "We shut down the Israeli consulate today because as Jewish people we cannot allow business as usual while violence is being done in our name."

Action participants also spoke out against the US government's unconditional support for Israel's siege and its ongoing war against the Palestinian people. "While US-funded F16's rain down bombs on the people of Gaza, our elected officials locally and nationally offer unqualified support." said Marsha Steinberg, a retired union representative. "Our government must stop sending billions of dollars in military and economic aid to the Israeli war machine," Goldberg said. In the coming week, concerned Americans from all backgrounds will call on the new Presidential administration to make a 180 degree change in policy.

"While the end of the siege on Gaza is our most immediate priority, this is only the latest chapter in Palestinians' 60 plus year experience of occupation and ethnic cleansing. Peace and justice in the region will only come when Palestinians have freedom and control their own destiny," said Lisa Adler, a community organizer in Los Angeles and another member of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. "Even before the siege began, Israel's inhumane months-long blockade of Gaza created a major humanitarian crisis. We must end the siege. And we are building a nonviolent international movement of boycott, divestment and sanctions that brings an end to Israel's policies of occupation and apartheid and advances the Palestinian struggle for justice," said Adler.

For more information on the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, visit www.ijsn.net

-- ## --

Profiles of several Demonstrators

Marsha Steinberg is a retired union representative and long time activist for social justice.

Gabriel Strachota is a 22-year old Jewish native of Massachusetts. His mother grew up in apartheid South Africa and he has many aunts, uncles, and cousins living in Israel.

Robin Ellis is a 34-year old Registered Nurse, working in Los Angeles' public health system.. Robin's grandparents and great grandparents fled Nazi Germany and settled in New York where Robin was born.Registered Nurse

Lisa Adler is a 29-year old New York native from a Latin American Jewish family. She spent several weeks in occupied Palestine in 2002 working in solidarity with Palestinians resisting the occupation non-violently.

Eric Romann is a 31-year old community organizer originally from New Jersey. Eric's grandparents moved to Palestine to escape Nazism in the 1930's and lost many family members in the Nazi Holocaust. His father spent the first 15 years of his life in Israel and Eric has many family members living there.

Samantha Tess Sunshine is a queer white Jew who lives in Los Angeles. She is a trained sex educator who has worked in the field of sexual health for almost a decade, and is currently a lead facilitator for the Leadership Development in Interethnic Relations Program at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.

Fact Sheet on Gaza and Israeli Apartheid

THE PEOPLE OF GAZA: Nearly 1.5 million Palestinians live in Gaza, many of them concentrated in one-half of the territory. In this area, the population density is nearly 20,000 people per square mile, one of the highest in the world. More than three quarters of Gaza's residents are refugees who were driven from their homes during past wars with Israel (in 1948 and 1967), and their descendants. Israel has permanently barred their return. Over half of these refugees still reside in Gaza's eight refugee camps. (BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5122404.stm)

THE OCCUPATION OF GAZA: The Gazans have lived under Israeli occupation since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel is still widely considered to be an occupying power, even though it removed its troops and settlers from the strip in 2005. Israel still controls access to the area, imports and exports, and the movement of people in and out. Israel has control over Gaza's air space and sea coast, and its forces enter the area at will. As the occupying power, Israel has the responsibility under the Fourth Geneva Convention to see to the welfare of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. ("What You Don't Know About Gaza", Rashidi Khalidi, New York Times, January 7, 2009).

THE BLOCKADE of GAZA: Israel's blockade of the strip, with the support of the United States and the European Union, has grown increasingly stringent since Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in January 2006. Fuel, electricity, imports, exports and the movement of people in and out of the Strip have been slowly choked off, leading to life-threatening problems of sanitation, health, water supply and transportation. This amounts to the collective punishment — with the tacit support of the United States — of a civilian population for exercising its democratic rights. (Khalidi, New York Times).

THE CEASE-FIRE: Lifting the blockade, along with a cessation of rocket fire, was one of the key terms of the June cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. This accord led to a reduction in rockets fired from Gaza from hundreds in May and June to a total of less than 20 in the subsequent four months (according to Israeli government figures). The cease-fire broke down when Israeli forces launched major air and ground attacks in early November; six Hamas operatives were reported killed. (Khalidi, New York Times).

WAR CRIMES: Israel's current assault on the Gaza Strip cannot be justified by self-defense. Rather, it involves serious violations of international law, including war crimes. Senior Israeli political and military leaders may bear personal liability for their offenses, and they could be prosecuted by an international tribunal, or by nations practicing universal jurisdiction over grave international crimes. ("Israel is committing war crimes." George Bisharat, Wall Street Journal, January 10, 2009.)

ISRAELI APARTHEID: Former South African President Hendrick Verwoerd observed as far back as 1961 that "Israel, like South Africa, is an apartheid state." In Palestine, the Zionist goal of controlling as much land as possible without Palestinians led to the large-scale expulsions of 1947-48 and 1967. Today, 92 percent of Israel's land is defined as the "inalienable property of the Jewish people." Jews anywhere in the world have a "right to return" and claim citizenship, while Palestinians who were expelled from their homes are denied the "right to return" guaranteed by international law. Former President Jimmy Carter defines apartheid as the "forced separation of two peoples in the same territory with one of the groups dominating or controlling the other." This accurately describes the situation in the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, where Israeli settlers and soldiers totally dominate the indigenous Palestinian population. The policies Israel has implemented to carry out its 40-year-old occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and expropriate Palestinian land closely mirror the "inhuman acts" that make up the UN Convention on the "Crime of Apartheid." (US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, "Why Apartheid Applies to Israel", http://www.endtheoccupation.org/downloads/AAFWhyApartheid.pdf)

[Oakland] Anarchist reportback

suggested by Elliott, re-posted from Counterpunch.org, "This analysis was written collaboratively by a group of anarchists based out of Oakland who together were present at all moments during the rebellion."

by Kara N. Tina

Oakland on Fire

Anarchists, Solidarity, and New Possibilities in the Oakland Rebellion

"I'm sorry my car was burned but the issue is very upsetting."

-Ken Epstein, assistant editor of the Oakland Post, who was finishing an article about Grant's death, watched from the 12th story of his office at 14th and Franklin streets as his 2002 Honda CR-V disintegrated in a roar of flames (Oakland Tribune)

The murder of Oscar Grant by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer Johannes Mehserle early New Year's morning sent a wave of grief throughout the Bay Area and reminded all that racism and police violence continue to be endemic components of US society. During the following days, that pain transformed into overflowing anger as multiple videos of the execution recorded by witnesses emerged on the internet and in the media. One week later on January 7, over a thousand people from diverse communities across Oakland and the Bay Area gathered to show their anger and be in the presence of others feeling similar grief. This hastily planned rally shut down the Fruitvale BART station where the shooting took place as speaker after speaker addressed the crowd. Without any plan or organization, the vast majority of those who patiently listened to speakers for over two hours took the demonstration into the streets with a spirited march that made its way towards downtown as the sun set. 

As the march reached the Lake Merritt BART station and headquarters of BART police downtown, clashes immediately broke out leaving one police cruiser destroyed alongside a burning dumpster. Marchers dispersed down side streets to the sounds of police weapons discharging and the sting of tear gas in the air. The following hours witnessed waves of rioting and demonstrations throughout downtown Oakland that even forced Mayor Ron Dellums to come out into the streets and promise the opening of a homicide investigation in a failed attempt to subdue the angry crowds. Hundreds of businesses and cars were damaged or destroyed and dumpsters were left burning. The next day, a BART board of directors meeting was filled beyond capacity and overwhelmed with community members expressing indignant rage, clearly feeling validated and empowered to speak up by the previous night's rebellion.

In the days since the unrest, rumors have begun to circulate that anarchists hijacked the otherwise peaceful event and were responsible for unleashing the 'violence'.  A cover story in the San Francisco Chronicle two days after the rioting quoted an organizer of the Fruitvale rally as saying that he was led to tears when his work was "destroyed by a group of anarchists." This dangerous and misleading narrative obscures what actually transpired and why, on that evening, the streets of Oakland unleashed such a powerful show of resistance and solidarity that gave many an empowered glimpse of radical new possibilities.

It is true that anarchists were present from start to finish on Wednesday. Counter to some generalizations that assume all anarchists are white, those who were there on Wednesday come from diverse backgrounds. They participated in a wide variety of ways; from spreading the word about the rally beforehand in order to have a large turnout, to spending hours painting banners and signs, to engaging in militant street actions, to being rounded up and at times beaten and arrested. Anarchists are among the over 100 community members who now face charges ranging from misdemeanor rioting to different felonies.

African-American youth made up the majority of those involved in the actions along with sizable numbers of anarchists as well as other youth of color and activist folk who were all there side by side. During the rioting, there was a sense of unity in the air and a defiant mood of solidarity among all who faced off against the police.  Anarchists tend to show up at all demonstrations prepared to act should the situation escalate, and this case was no different. Yet it is simply incorrect to suggest that there was some conspiracy of anarchists from the 'outside' who were able to manipulate the helpless youth of Oakland as part of their sinister agenda. This is a paternalistic and disempowering misreading of what was unquestionably a spontaneous outpouring of rage, led by youth of color, creating an extremely empowering moment for participants in the streets. There, temporary alliances were made as those who were motivated to act in the moment experienced a unique cross-pollination that cut across the inhibiting social boundaries of everyday life. 

The allegations of an anarchist takeover are destructively misleading. At best they come from ignorance and at worse they represent a flawed and divisive ideology of social change which embodies paternalistic and racist assumptions about those involved in the actions. To scapegoat anarchists for what transpired, robs from marginalized and oppressed youth of color the agency they possess and the power to resist which they demonstrated that evening. It also ignores the remarkable diversity and unique solidarity in the streets that created an liberating experience far beyond any rally or march.

There were some moments during which individual anarchists attempted to influence the course of events, but these instances still do not fit into the narrative that the corporate media and some organizers have tried to tell. At one point a group of black youth smashing the windows of a locally owned business were encouraged to target large corporations and banks instead of 'mom and pop' shops. They proceeded to do just that. Anarchists also un-arrested youth, and encouraged people to push dumpsters and other objects into the streets to prevent the police from advancing, a tactic that was quickly picked up and utilized. Other examples of this type of interchange involved anarchists encouraging youth participating in the riots to wear bandanas over their faces, change clothes during calm moments and other tactics to help avoid arrest or identification. Without question, the exchange went both ways as anarchists took away valuable lessons in mobility, evasion, and more as they worked together with the youth throughout the night.

None of this, however, suggests that anarchists had some sort of control or single handedly determined the events that transpired. The rage and energy that transformed downtown Oakland into a momentary battlefield came from those who are most directly affected by the racist police state regime. No one group had any control over what unfolded. It was a spontaneous rebellion that sprang organically from the streets of Oakland and in retrospect anarchists played an important yet relatively minor role. 

The property destruction and rage that burned throughout downtown Oakland was at times undirected and ended up damaging many small businesses and cars along with corporate targets such as Sears and McDonald's. However, some of the most powerful moments that parralled the destruction were confrontations with police and sponatenous high energy gatherings of people in the street who refused to be dispersed. It was during these moments that chanting would again erupt from the crowd reminding all who were present that the direct political demands of justice for Oscar Grant and active resistance to the racist police state system in the United States were the motivations of all who took to the streets that evening.

It's important to also remember that not one person was assaulted during the actions and there were no reports of fights or scuffles amongst the groups of youth who resisted police and destroyed property into the night. In this sense, the rebellion was not violent. It is disturbing to watch as fellow organizers and members of our communities have uncritically adopted the rhetoric of the right in their confused denunciation of mass property destruction as 'violence'.

On the other hand the Oakland Police Department, who everyday harass, intimidate and beat Oakland's youth, was unleashing its very real violence that night. Police opened fire on crowds with different types of less lethal projectiles and in some cases shot tear gas canisters directly into people's bodies. A Berkeley High teacher had his face bashed during arrest and spent the night in the hospital before being taken back downtown for booking.  A man taking pictures was attacked by police and his bike helmet was cracked as he was beaten. During the mass arrest at the end of the night, 80 people were forced by police to lay on their stomachs at 20th and Broadway, including a very pregnant woman who was screaming in pain.

What manifested during the Oakland rebellion was a moment of interchange and revolutionary transformation that rarely happens within the rituals of left organizing in the Bay Area. Between white "community organizers" overtaken by guilt into an impotent politics of servitude, professional activists worried about annual reports and grant cycles, and vanguardist marxist sects continually looking to use the next demonstration as a recruiting drive, many radicals find themselves in a desert devoid of revolutionary activity and thought. Within this barren landscape, it is rare to find new possibilities for radical social change while combatting racism and the constant oppression of capitalism. Resisting the police shoulder to shoulder, destroying property (albeit with different emphasis), helping one another evade arrest, exchanging tactics and gestures of solidarity across racial barriers pushes the desire for a multi-racial revolutionary movement years ahead, more than any speaker at a rally ever could.

Anarchists are very accustomed to accusations of spoiling carefully managed demonstrations, and in some cases this is true and necessary. The Oakland rebellion was a different story. Those who are truly committed to revolutionary change in this country need to appreciate the significance of what unfolded in the streets that night and move forward without falling into the usual sectarian traps.

[USA] Important New Cultural Trend: Reading!

re-posted from KTVU, 01/12/09 @ http://www.ktvu.com/news/18461304/detail.html

'Astonishing' Americans Read More in 2008

Report based on sample of 18,000 adults

NEW YORK -- "Reading on the rise" declares a new government study, which reports a surprising and welcome increase in the number of adults who recently read a novel, short story, play or other work of literature.

But the study also suggests that not every person who reads necessarily wants to.

According to "Reading on the Rise," being issued Monday by the National Endowment for the Arts, just over half of the people surveyed 18 or older read some kind of literature in 2008, up from 46.7 percent in 2002, when the number had dropped by seven percentage points over the previous decade. NEA chairman Dana Gioia called the results "astonishing" and an "important new cultural trend."

According to the survey, which reflects both online works and paper texts, reading rates increased for whites, blacks and Hispanics, for men and for woman, for all levels of education and across virtually all ages. Reading among 18-to-24 year olds jumped from 42.8 in 2002 to 51.7 percent last year.

For much of the decade, Gioia and the NEA have warned of a crisis in literacy and have implemented numerous programs to encourage reading. In a preface to the new report, being released shortly before Gioia steps down after heading the endowment for seven years, he cites a nationwide effort and says the results demonstrate that "our faith in positive social and cultural change was not misplaced."

But the preface does not mention a countertrend: a drop among people not obligated to read. Adults who read books of any kind - fiction or nonfiction, online or on paper - that were not assigned by a teacher or employer dropped from 56.6 percent of adults in 2002 to 54.3 percent last year. The fall was greatest among those younger than 55.

And while the number of adults who say they read a non-required book is 3.5 million higher than in 2002, the report notes that that the total adult population increased by 19 million, meaning an increase in the number of people who didn't voluntarily read books of 15.5 million, a huge disparity confirmed by NEA research director Sunil Iyengar.

Gioia believes the NEA report is essentially positive - if only because good news about reading is so rare - but says that "we're still in a culture in which all kinds of reading are under pressure" from other forms of leisure and entertainment.

The NEA chair, himself a published poet, doesn't have a definitive answer to the large gap between voluntary readers and reading overall. He speculates, "just a hypothesis," about a large subgroup of "shallow readers," people who feel compelled to take on a book for a class or a reading program but are not inspired to finish the text or to read independently.

"We have so many of these programs around the country, and I always tell our people that we can't expect to make permanent readers out of everyone," he says.

"So have we become a nation of Lionel Trillings"? asks Gioia, referring to the late and supremely erudite literary critic. "The answer is absolutely not yet."

The NEA report, based on a sample of more than 18,000 adults, is based on data gathered in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau.

[medical] Implants for babies could help deaf learn to speak

re-posted from New Scientist, 01/04/09 at http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126883.500-implants-for-babies-could-help-deaf-learn-to-speak.html

Implants for babies could help deaf learn to speak

BRAIN activity that is "scrambled" in deaf cats develops normally if they are fitted with a cochlear implant shortly after birth. The finding may explain how deaf children given implants as babies can learn to speak almost as well as hearing children.

In hearing animals, sound vibrates hair cells in the inner ear, triggering neurons to send impulses to the brain. In deaf animals, these hair cells are often defective; cochlear implants compensate by stimulating neurons directly.

To see how this artificial stimulation affects the brain, Rob Shephard at the Bionic Ear Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues recorded electrical activity in the cortex of 17 8-month-old cats that were deaf from birth. As they monitored the cats' brains, they activated each cat's cochlear implant.

Ten of the cats had received the implant relatively recently and their electrical activity was "completely scrambled", indicating that they did not perceive sound coherently: normal cortex activity is key to perceiving sound and, in humans, to developing speech.

In the seven cats that received implants at 8 weeks old, however, activity was similar to that in hearing cats.

Some deaf people say it is unethical to operate on deaf babies, who would otherwise learn sign language. Neurologist Jim Pickles at the University of Queensland, Australia, says the latest work "increases the weight of evidence to implant children early".

[Oakland] "Residents Use BART Meeting to Voice Outrage"

re-posted from: KTVU, 01/11/09 at http://www.ktvu.com/news/18459114/detail.html

Oakland Residents Use BART Meeting to Voice Outrage

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Members of the Bay Area Rapid Transit board held another community meeting in Oakland on Sunday to help ease tensions surrounding the New Year's Day slaying of an unarmed man by a transit police officer, but few of the 100 or so people who attended seemed appeased by what they heard.

Most of the speakers criticized BART for what they described as the agency's slow response to the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Oscar Grant and demanded to know if Officer Johannes Mehserle would be arrested. Alameda County prosecutors, and Oakland and BART police say they still are investigating why Mehserle shot Grant, who had been detained in a station following a fight on a train.

"Why hasn't anyone with authority just arrested this guy?" asked Oakland resident Nader Bey, echoing the frustration prevalent at the more than two-hour-long meeting.

Mehserle, 27, resigned from the force before his department's internal affairs division could interview him. BART Police Chief Gary Gee pleaded for patience and said Sunday that he hoped to present the division's findings about the case to the Alameda County district attorney by week's end.

At one point during the public gathering, the second BART directors convened in three days, heated words were exchanged between Oakland City Council member Delsey Brooks and BART director Carole Ward Allen, who represents the district where Grant was shot.

Brooks said she wanted to know when the board would respond to a list of demands she and other Oakland leaders submitted on Thursday. The list includes identifying the other officers who were present during the shooting and asking the state attorney general and U.S. attorney to take over the investigation.

"When are you going to take some action, Carole, some real action? It is clear something has to be done..."

Allen, who earlier had said the board was doing its best to satisfy the public's desire for information without compromising the investigation, left the room visibly agitated.

Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff says he will decide within two weeks whether to bring criminal charges. On Saturday, Attorney General Jerry Brown said he would dispatch a state prosecutor to monitor Alameda County's investigation.

The BART Board of Directors has scheduled a special meeting for Monday afternoon to discuss creating an oversight committee that would have responsibility for monitoring police-related incidents.

[Oakland] An Appropriate Response

from Irina:

"Hey everybody, The people in Oakland, unlike the people in New York City, decided to not take more shit after another young black man was murdered by the police on Hey Year's Day at the Fruitvale Bart Station. This is very inspiring."

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article re-posted from Bombsandshields.com

Oakland, California - Fury

erupted over the video-recorded police slaying of an unarmed and restrained suspect at the Frutivale BART station on New Year's Day. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the station tonight, and independent as well as corporate reports indicate that participants fought cops, smashed and graffitied police vehicles and storefronts, built fires in the street and burned several vehicles. A number of BART stations were shut down due to the unrest. Some autonomous individuals also stated that they sabotaged a BART police car and two ticket machines with superglue in solidarity with the victims and opponents of police in Oakland and Greece.

Photos and video here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2009/01/07/MN2N155CN1.DTL&o=0

[Chicago] Mass Protest Against Invasion of Gaza

re-posted from Facebook Events

Just like the Friday rally on January 2, 2009, we are gathering to protest the crimes committed by Israeli occupational forces in Gaza. Endorsed and sponsored by organizations such as American Muslims for Palestine and other Palestinian solidarity movements, this rally is expected to be the biggest yet. With over 10,000 people expected, join us to speak out against Israeli aggression and the siege of Gaza.

The time is set for 3:30 PM this Friday, January 9, 2009. We will begin at the Daley Plaza at 50 W Washington St. and then we will march to the Israeli Consulate and demand the proper action: that Israeli occupation ends; that Israeli aggression halts; that Gazans (and all Palestinians) be treated like human beings; that the borders surrounding Gaza be opened; and that the crimes of the Israeli government end now. Due to high expectations in turnout numbers, we may be able march through the streets of downtown Chicago.

This protest is nothing short of history-making. Not only are we speaking out, we are attracting national coverage which tilts heads towards our goal of ending the Israeli occupation and siege of Gaza.

Please join us in this active movement for peace, justice, and freedom in the Middle East.

Remember:
MASS PROTEST AGAINST ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON GAZA

Rally this Friday at the Daley Plaza at 50 W Washington St.
and then March to the Israeli Consulate

Gather at the Daley Plaza at 3:30 pm then march to the Israeli Consulate on Wacker and Michigan

Buses arrangements will be announced soon!

Last Friday over 5,000 people showed up! This week, our Goal is 10,000 ppl.
This is the least you can do to show your support for the people of Gaza

Stop the Killing of the Palestinian People!
Stop the War and Siege on Gaza!
End All U.S. Aid to Israel!
End the Israeli Occupation of Palestine!

TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW! EMAIL, TEXT, CALL, FACEBOOK, ETC.

Host: American Muslims for Palestine
Date: Friday, January 9, 2009
Time: 3:30-6:00pm
Location: Daley PLaza at 50 W. Washington St. Chicago, IL
Email: info@ampalestine.org

[ACTION] What You Can Do About the Oscar Grant Shooting

suggested by Vegan Liz, re-posted from Race Wire, follow this link to see cellphone video footage of the shooting: http://www.racewire.org/archives/2009/01/5_things_you_can_do_right_now_1.html

By Jonathan Adams for the Color Lines Blog

5 Things You Can Do Right Now About the Oscar Grant Shooting

Oscar Grant, an unarmed man, was killed by an Oakland police officer. Here are five things (compiled by Makani Themba-Nixon) that you should do right now to respond to the senseless death of this 22 year old Black man. Video footage of the shooting recently surfaced.

1. Digg the story so that the national media can pick up on it

2. Contact BART Director Carole Ward Allen and demand that 1) the officers involved be taken off duty without pay and charged and fully prosecuted; 2) there be an independent investigation of the shooting that includes a review of training and hiring practices; and 3) BART establish an independent residents’ review board for the police Call her at 510-464-6095 or email the BART Directors at BoardofDirectors@bart.gov

3. Call the BART police to complain about the officers’ conduct and demand immediate action: Internal Affairs: Sergeant David Chlebowski 510.464.7029,dchlebo@bart.gov; Chief of Police: Gary Gee 510.464.7022, ggee@bart.gov

Call them toll free at 877.679.7000 and press the last four digits of the phone number you wish to reach.

4. Talk it up on your blogs, networks and talk radio shows (call Michael Baisden 877-6BADBOY or Rev. Al, etc. to get this on the national radar)

5. Stay tuned for other actions, protests, etc., especially if you are in the Bay.

[Oakland] Hundreds in the Streets Protest BART Shooting

re-posted from Oakland Tribune: Inside Bay Area, 01/07/09

Hundreds Gather on Oakland Streets to Protest BART Shooting

OAKLAND — Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums has come on the scene, he was surrounded by dozens of protesters and talking with officers trying to quell the situation.

At least 50 police are on scene wearing gas masks, and Oakland's Tactical Operations Team is also on scene but has not been deployed, according to a Tribune reporter on scene.

Property damage has begun to occur, as some windows of businesses have been smashed. The majority of the protesters have been peaceful, but a small group has caused the problems. Traffic is blocked off between Broadway and 13th Street, as well as problems breaking out around Franklin Street near 13th.

The demonstrators from a protest against the fatal BART police shooting of Oscar Grant III took to Oakland streets Wednesday night, lighting fire to a Dumpster near 8th and Madison streets and prompting police to shut down the Fruitvale and Lake Merritt BART stations.

Protesters rammed the Dumpster against a police car, bashing in the front and back windows and denting the passenger side.

Scores of police, including BART police, Oakland Police Department and officers from the Housing Authority responded in special helmets for added protection.

Earlier at the demonstration, Grant's younger sister, Audrena Gilbert, said former officer Johannes Mehserle, who appears in cell phone videos apparently drawing his gun and shooting at an unarmed, restrained Grant on New Year's Day, has not talked to the bereaved family.

"I want him to start. I want him to apologize for what he did," Gilbert, a 19-year-old Oakland woman, said. "I want him to tell the truth, why he shot him, what he shot him for. That's all I want."

The protest was led by speakers for the Coalition Against Police Executions and drew a crowd police estimated as 500 people.

"It's not enough the officer resigned today," said Sean Dugar, president of the California National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Youth and College Division. "We demand he be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. ... We shut down one BART station this afternoon. Let's do another one next week."

[highlight] Temporary Autonomous Shelter Resources

This post aims to highlight a very interesting site, the Temporary Autonomous Shelter Research Portal.

"This website is a tool for individuals and groups involved in the research and planning of temporary encampments of autonomous emergency shelters.

It's purpose is to assist community organizers with the creation of collaborative, user designed and governed projects that create immediate short-term solutions to the housing crisis in their communities.

This website was created to assist in the organization of a collaborative community project in Victoria, BC that seeks to:

* Create and implement a low cost, immediately applicable solution to homelessness that provides safety, comfort, dignity, and support.
* Provide support and advocacy for individuals living in tents and other simple structures around the city.
* Provide administrative and organizational support to individuals and groups involved in similar projects."

The site includes a database of Past, Present, and Future tent cities as well as financial and legal information, emergency crisis management science and technology, links to homeless self help organizations and more.

http://tentcity.wikidot.com/

[int'l] Light Up The World With LEDs

re-posted from EcoSpace.cc

By Kyra

Light Up the World with LEDs

The Light Up The World (LUTW) Foundation has been running officially since 2002. Since it's conception as a humanitarian aid organization it has provided over 14,000 homes in over 42 countries with safe, affordable, ecologically sound, highly-efficient lighting through the use of WLED technologies (White Light Emitting Diodes). Their vision is to make lighting of this quality and caliber accessible to the over 2 billion people currently living without proper lighting. The use of kerosene and other fuel based lighting sources is the number one producer of greenhouse gases in the majority world, states research by the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratories (LBNL).

In terms of power consumption the average use of an LED is 1Watt per hour, compared with 5W for incandescent bulbs and 4W for Compact Fluorescent. More extensive comparison charts can be found on the LUTW website, here. LUTW's projects strive to be ecologically sound in every aspect. As such, energy sources for the lighting systems they install range from Photovoltaics, Solar and Wind powered to Person Powered Pedal Generators (essentially riding a bike to generate electricity).

It makes me wonder why we don't have more of these types of systems in use here at home! While compact fluorescents are touted as the ecological solution to lighting here in Canada, there is lots of evidence indicating that fluorescents are extremely unhealthy for the body...and if LED's do in fact use one quarter the energy of compact fluorescents, as indicated in comparison charts...help me out here? Why are we still building with the most expensive lighting around in terms of total cost? Why not hook up those thousands of person-powered exercise machines in gyms across the globe to generate electricity for our cities? Maybe then Hydro-Quebec would reconsider destroying the ecosystems surrounding all of Quebec's rivers by putting multiple dams up to create hydro-electricity...But then maybe we're just supposed to accept that "money makes the world go round", sit back and enjoy the ride into oblivion.Against any proposed solution to unsustainable practices there seem to be a thousand arguments for keeping things the way they are-yet it seems clear to me that we need creative solutions, and we need them fast!

Light Up The World is an initiative of Calgarian Dr. Dave Irvine-Halliday, whose work in Nepal led him to realize that lack of adequate lighting was a major problem in the majority world. Aside from the ecological effects, fuel based lighting is extremely unhealthy for human bodies and can cause a variety of illnesses related to inhaling poisonous fumes.Lack of adequate lighting is also closely linked to illiteracy, though I have my qualms with the assumption that enforcing literacy on oral cultures is always necessarily a positive...

Some of LUTW's current projects include providing lighting systems to a Tibetan orphanage, aid stations in Papua New Guinea, to homes in the townships of South African, and to education facilities in Sierra Leone. LUTW is kept afloat by donations, so if you'd like to contribute some of that monetary energy to the cause , or know someone who might, please visit http://lutw.org/howtohelp.htm.

[UK] Petition Against Proposed Student Visa Changes

re-posted from Activist Scholarship listserv

Universities Without Borders: http://universitieswithoutborders.blogspot.com/

PETITION TO OPPOSE PROPOSED CHANGES TO STUDENT VISAS IN UK

There is now a UK-wide campaign underway to oppose the proposed changes to student visas, which will require academics to monitor and report overseas students to the UK Border Agency. As part the campaign, a petition to the Prime Minister's Office has been launched. There are currently 2260 signatures, but we'd like to get more, so please take a minute to add your name and forward to contacts.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Overseasstudent/

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to withdraw the oppressive new immigration rules on overseas students and staff”

Background: The new rules for overseas students and staff threaten university autonomy and breach human rights legislation. These rules would require Universities to report to the Border Agency any absences from lectures and seminars or any failure to submit any assessment on time. In other words the University is being asked to act as an Immigration Officer to the students. These requirements go far beyond the present monitoring of student progress systems in Universities which has as its purpose assisting students to reach their full potential. It is hard to justify such detailed monitoring of overseas students. Surely the Border Agency just needs to know students have registered and are at the University. This police-like surveillance is not the function of universities and alters the educational relationship between students and their teachers in a very harmful manner. University staff are there to help the students develop intellectually and not to be a means of sanctioning them. Trust between students and staff is essential to the relationship. They represent a potential breach of Articles 8 and Article 3of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998. – Ian Grigg-Spall:

FURTHER BACKGROUND ON KEY CHANGES TO STUDENT VISA RULES

1) Onerous financial requirements for international students

Under the new points-based system, starting in Spring 2009, student visas will be subject to "mandatory maintenance requirements" which means the visa won't approved unless the student can provided evidence of enough funds in their bank account to cover full first year tuition + £9600(amount they consider necessary for living expenses at £800 per month). For spouses/children they will need to show they have a further £535 per month for each dependent.) This requirement will apply to everyone, regardless of what country you are coming from. Students applying for the Post Study Worker Scheme or Highly Skilled Migrant Program scheme from within the UK, will need to have £800 held in their bank account for three months in a row to be eligible. Students applying from outside the UK, will need £2800 held over the last three months, plus £1600 per dependent.

2) Universities forced to report info about international students to the Home Office & UK Border Agency

Starting from Spring 2009, any educational institution recruiting overseas students will need to register with the Home Office. All sponsors, including the university, will be required to report on international students who(a) fail to enrol on their course;(b) have any unauthorized absences;(c) discontinue their studies (including deferrals)(d) any significant changes in students circumstances (eg if duration of study shortens) Institutions will be expected to cooperate with the UK Border Agency and "Account Managers" will routinely conduct "spot checks" to ensure institutions are complying with requirements. Apparently the Home Office is also cracking down on students who work more than the 20 permitted hours during term time.

3) Monitoring students activities re: "anti-terrorism"

Since 2007, non-UK/EU postgrad students studying certain science/technologysubjects (mostly biology, chemistry, technology) are required to go through the "Academic Technology Approval Scheme - as a counter-terrorism measure-- apparently "to stop the spread of knowledge and skills that could be used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery."

4) ID controls

As of November 25th, the government will begin issuing biometric ID cards to all non-EU students and spouses and this will extend to students applying for loans in 2010. Existing student visas will not be renewed without providing biometric data and obtaining the ID card.

Coverage in the Guardian:

Letter: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/nov/10/immigration-policy-immigration-and-public-services

Article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/nov/10/international-students-migrant-scams-crackdown

[NY] 72-yr-old man jumps from 2nd floor, extinguishes fire

re-posted from: DemocratAndChronicle.com, 12/30/08

By Victoria E. Freile

Man, 72, jumps from second-floor window and single-handedly extinguishes fire

A 72-year-old Batavia man this morning jumped from the second-floor of his townhouse, broke open a first-floor window and single-handedly extinguished a fire, according to the Batavia Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to Walden Estates, an apartment complex at 337 Bank St., about 3:40 a.m. and arrived to find that the male tenant in Apt. 5 had already extinguished the fire, said Batavia Fire Chief Tom Dillon.

The 72-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman were sitting in the living room, covered in soot at that time, he said. Firefighters helped the couple exit the townhouse.

At some point before firefighters arrived, the man helped the woman down the stairs, Dillon said.

The pair suffered from smoke inhalation and were taken to the United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, where they were treated and released, Dillon said. The man also suffered from cuts on his feet after he stepped on broken glass.

Something woke the couple early today and the man jumped out of a second-floor window, ran around the side of the townhouse and broke open a window using a shovel. He reentered the townhouse and extinguished the fire using water and a five-gallon bucket, Dillon said.

“We were really impressed by the man’s actions,” Dillon said.

The entire townhouse sustained heavy fire damage and moderate heat damage. The living room was charred, he said. Dillon noted that the house is currently not livable.

He added that the smoke detector was not working last night because it had old batteries.

Firefighters are investigating, to determine the cause.

[Kansas] Schoolboy defeats hedgehog ban

re-posted from Metro.co.uk on 01/07/09

Schoolboy defeats hedgehog ban

A schoolboy in Kansas has emerged victorious in his battle to change the law of his city - so that could have a pet hedgehog.

11-year-old Judson King triumphed after campaigning against local laws that banned the animals from the city of Lawrence.

Inspired by a love of Sonic the Hedgehog, and determined to own a real-life version, King spent three years researching how to change the law before presenting his case to city commissioners.

The commissioners were impressed by his prepared speech, and the dossier he had prepared with information about hedgehogs.

And, despite some initial concerns that hedgehogs - which are not native to North America - might harbour foot-and-mouth disease, the commissioners could find no reason to continue banning hedgehogs from the city limits.

'I think he ought to run for City Commission in April,' said impressed City Commissioner Sue Hack said after King's presentation.

At the same meeting, a proposed ban on chickens in the city was turned down.

Preliminary approval for lifting the hedgehog ban was given on December 2, and the prohibition was officially lifted on December 30. By that time, Judson had already reaped the reward for his efforts - he was given a hedgehog called Little Luke for Christmas.

[NYC/Annapolis] Rabbi Protest Against Zionism

suggested by Nia, please follow the YouTube link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzJbRMLZHPY

[US] Muslim coalition call for more inclusion in Obama's admin

re-posted from: CNNPolitics.com

By Jonathan Helman, 12/29/08

Muslim coalition requests more inclusion in new administration

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The American Muslim Taskforce for Civil Rights and Elections called on President-elect Barack Obama for greater Muslim outreach during his administration as well as assisting in ending the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the Middle East.

"We demand that our government, the U.S. government, take immediate steps to end the immoral and illegal Israeli bombardment of Gaza and its population," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The AMT also said the United States must look at any violations of international and domestic law that occurred as a result of the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza.

In a news conference Monday, the coalition of prominent national Muslim groups underlined its policy recommendations for the new administration.

"We are approaching our incoming administration on four key issues: inclusion and access, policy development, personnel appointment and partnership for peace," said Agha Saeed, chairman of the American Muslim Task Force on Civil Rights and Elections.

Citing a survey commissioned by the task force, the organization said this year's election saw the biggest turnout of American Muslims ever reported that 89 percent of those who voted cast a ballot for Obama.

Speaking at the press conference, Senator Larry Shaw (D-N.C.) called the Muslim community an untapped resource that the Obama administration should not forget about.

"We are ready to be your partners for peace," Saeed said.