Folks,

Our good friend, a fellow artist and an HLLN colleague, Carl Thelemaque, just called from Haiti. His number is (o11 509) 3711 - 1771. But I don't know if he will have resources on his phone for long. But he needs HELP now. If you're not in Haiti, you can help by asking someone you know who is in Haiti to go lend a hand. Or, you can send a money donation directly to Carl through Western Union, et al.

Zili, he said, I'm taking care of 1500 children in Croix-des-Bouquets at zone Li Lavoix along with their families since the earthquake. We need help. We need food, water, medicine, tents and, and flashlights.

by David Rovics

This announcement is also available at

http://www.freegaza.org/we-are-sailing-again-join-us in Arabic,

Spanish, Italian, French, German, Swedish, Malasian, Portuguese,

Turkish and Catalan.



This spring, the Free Gaza Movement is sending at least six boats to

Gaza to break Israel’s illegal blockade on 1.5 million Palestinians.

This blockade constitutes an act of collective punishment, a crime

prohibited under international humanitarian law. Gaza's man-made and

internationally perpetuated crisis is set to deepen as Egypt builds an

Iron wall 30 meters deep   on the southern Rafah border, closing off

the final route for Palestinians to get basic supplies.



The urgency of breaking the blockade grows by the day, as Palestinians

living in this prison are denied their most basic rights.

Yesterday Haiti suffered a massive earthquake, which registered a 7.3 on the Richter scale, just outside the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Initial reports are beginning to pour in on the devastation to both people and property. Grassroots International has set up an “Earthquake Relief Fund for Haiti” to support our partners and meet the urgent needs of the population

“We are in the process of reaching our partners on the ground,” said Grassroots International’s Executive Director Nikhil Aziz. “Clearly everyone is deeply affected, and the full extent of the loss may not be known for some time. As in the past, Grassroots and our network of supporters are poised to respond as quickly as we can to address the immediate and long-term needs of our partners.”

'We're
Sailing Again – Join Us!'

This spring,
the Free Gaza Movement is sending at least six boats to Gaza to break Israel’s
illegal blockade on 1.5 million Palestinians. This blockade constitutes an act
of collective punishment, a crime prohibited under international humanitarian
law. Gaza's man-made and internationally perpetuated crisis is set to deepen as
Egypt builds an Iron wall 30 meters deep and 20 meters high on the southern
Rafah border, closing off the final route for Palestinians to get basic
supplies.

We, international delegates meeting in Cairo during the Gaza Freedom March 2009 in collective response to an initiative from the South African delegation, state:
In view of:

Here's why we're demonstrating today!
From VP:
To all friends of
Palestine

Our situation is now at a crisis point! Riot has broken out in
the port of Al- Arish.

This late afternoon we were negotiating with a
senior official from Cairo who left negotiations some two hours ago and did not
return. Our negotiations with the official was regarding taking our aid vehicles
into Gaza.

He left two hours ago and did not come back. Egyptian
authorities called over 2,000 riot police who then moved towards our camp at the
port.

We have now blocked the entrance to the port and we are now faced
with riot police and water cannons and are determined to defend our vehicles and
aid.

The Egyptian authorities have by their stubbornness and hostility
towards the convoy, brought us to a crisis point.

We are now calling upon
all friends of palestine to mount protests in person where possible, but by any

After
three days of vigils and demonstrations in downtown Cairo, Suzanne
Mubarak’s offer to allow just 100 of 1,300 delegates to enter Gaza was
rejected by the Gaza Freedom March Coordinating Committee as well as
many of the larger contingents – including those from France, Scotland,
Canada, South Africa, Sweden and New York State (U.S.).

“We
flatly reject Egypt’s offer of a token gesture. We refuse to whitewash
the siege of Gaza. Our group will continue working to get all 1362
marchers into Gaza as one step towards the ultimate goal for the
complete end of the siege and the liberation of Palestine” said Ziyaad
Lunat a member of the march Coordinating Committee.

What: Egyptian security forces detain internationals in el-Arish, break up memorial actions in Cairo



When: Sunday, December 27, noon: the Egyptian security forces detained a group of 30 internationals in their hotel in el-Arish and another group of 8 at the bus station. They also broke up a memorial action commemorating the Cast Lead massacre at the Kasr al Nil Bridge

Sunday December 27th marks the anniversary of the attack on Gaza by Israel, which left over 1,400 people dead, and over 5,000 injured in 22 days.

At 11 35 am, the time of the first attack, a group of humanitarians on the “Viva Palestina Convoy” will embark on an International Hunger Strike in the main square in Aqaba, Jordan.



The International Hunger Strike will aim to highlight the ongoing illegal siege imposed on Gaza, and to remember the victims of the attacks who died during the 22 day bombardment by Israel.



This International Hunger Strike will also highlight the refusal by Egypt, under Israeli pressure, to allow the humanitarian aid to reach the people in Gaza.

Mario Sasso

Egypt refuses entry to Gaza Aid Convoy!!



For immediate release - 25th December 2009



The Egyptian government has denied entry to the Viva Palestina Aid Convoy carrying medical and humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Hundreds of tonnes of aid, including specialized medical equipment and powdered milk for babies, is now stockpiled in the Jordanian port town of Aqaba waiting for permission to enter Egypt via the Straits of Aqaba.



The international convoy of approximately 150 vehicles and more than 400 people from 17 countries was given the news by the Egyptian Consulate in Aqaba late on Christmas Eve.



British MP George Galloway, who is traveling with the convoy, said “We feel very sad that Egypt has turned us away on Christmas Day, but we hope they will reconsider. This is a very determined convoy and we’re not going anywhere except to Gaza.”

Government of Egypt changes policy to allow humanitarian group Viva Palestina to enter Gaza December 27, 2009

December 23, 2009

Gaza Freedom March congratulates the Government of Egypt on its change of policy to allow international missions into Gaza during December with the decision to allow the Viva Palestina convoy to go into Gaza on December 27, 2009.

Organizers of Gaza Freedom March were told on December 20, 2009 by Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials that no international missions would be allowed to enter Gaza during December, including the Gaza Freedom March, because of serious security conditions at the border.

Today, December 23, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson told Gaza Freedom March organizers said that the decision had been made to alter its policy because of the “humanitarian assistance” nature of Viva Palestina.

Gaza Freedom March 

UPDATE 

Friends of the Earth U.S. Reaction: Sham Deal Requires Nothing, Accomplishes Nothing

Statement of Erich Pica, president of Friends of the Earth U.S., on tonight's announcement by President Obama:

"Climate negotiations in Copenhagen have yielded a sham agreement with no real requirements for any countries. This is not a strong deal or a just one -- it isn't even a real one. It's just repackaging old positions and pretending they're new. The actions it suggests for the rich countries that caused the climate crisis are extraordinarily inadequate. This is a disastrous outcome for people around the world who face increasingly dire impacts from a destabilizing climate.