Benefit Folk Punk Show for The AIPAC 10

Benefit Folk Punk Show for The AIPAC 10
Monday, Feb 16th at 8pm - $5
with Mischief Brew, The Can-Kickers, Brook Pridemore, and Counter Clockwise
at The Surreal Estate - 13 Thames Street - Brooklyn
L to Morgan Ave

Solidarity Statement from Philadelphia Jews For a Just Peace

We were honored and grateful to receive an eloquent message of solidarity from Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace. It takes so much courage for American Jews to speak out against Israel, and we can't thank them enough. Their statement reads as follows:

Statement of Solidarity with the "AIPAC 10"

On January 29th, 2009 the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) held a $1,500 a plate dinner in Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square, New York City. This extravagant celebration was held in the wake of a massive bombing campaign in Gaza that left over 1,300 people dead and 5,000 people injured, and a year-long blockade that has left the majority of Gazans without access to medicine, food, or clean water.

AIPAC not only applauded these atrocities, but actively sought to garner support from the United States Government, using its powerful lobbying team to help procure billions of dollars in US tax aid to Israel and using its power in Washington to help pass U.S. Senate Resolution 10 / HR. Resolution 34, which declared near unequivocal support for Israel's actions at the height of the bombing. AIPAC prides itself on its disproportionate influence in Washington, referring to itself as the most important organization affecting the U.S. relationship with Israel.

But during AIPAC's celebratory dinner, ten courageous young people stood up to this behemoth of a special interest lobby, chaining themselves to the entrances of the Marriot Marquis and preventing anyone from entering or leaving the hotel for nearly two hours.

As Jews of conscience, we cannot stand idly by while AIPAC claims a monopoly on the voice of the Jewish People. We will not be silent as the Israeli government cynically exploits our faith as an excuse for continuing a brutal military occupation, economic strangulation, and literal starvation of an entire people; and does so with American tax dollars thanks largely to the efforts of AIPAC. We will not allow the actions of a few to erase our long and proud history of seeking justice and resisting oppression. We are proud to stand in solidarity with the "AIPAC 10". It is our fervent wish that these ten activists have sparked the imaginations and inspired the confidence of thousands like them, who will continue to take creative action against the forces of occupation, imperialism, and brutality.

- Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace

While it unfortunately isn't true that we prevented anyone from leaving or entering the building (we just prevented them from using the revolving doors, and hopefully reminded each of them that they had to check their conscience at the doors they did use) -- we might have been able to with more than ten people! There will be other opportunities to take AIPAC to task in the future, and our hope is that next time there will be more of us!

U-Lock Justice for Palestine Says Fuck Bourgeois Parties Celebrating Massacre

New York, New York, January 30, 2009. Last night, activists opposed to the U.S.-backed Israeli assault on Gaza disrupted a gala event last night put on by the lobby group AIPAC. While most of Gaza was in ruins, New York state politicians and Zionists were rubbing elbows at a $1500-a-plate dinner. The demonstrators chained themselves together to block entrance to the Marriott Hotel.

Police forced them apart by burning off the chains with blowtorches. The 10 non-violent activists were arrested and placed in jail overnight. Meanwhile, the real criminals, feasting on the carnage and destruction left in the wake of Israel's siege on Gaza go unpunished. All then were released this afternoon, each charged with resisting arrest, trespassing, and disorderly conduct.

The event was attended by prominent business people, lobbyists and U.S. politicians, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The blockade disrupted what the participating activists considered a disgraceful gathering.

The Marriott blockade comes on the heels of several similar actions opposing Israel's recent conduct that have occurred in cities around the world such as Toronto and San Francisco and at over a dozen universities in England. In its scope, tactics, and goals, the movement to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine recalls the movement that arose in opposition to Apartheid in South Africa.

Press, as of 1 p.m. Friday:
NEW YORK POST http://www.nypost.com/seven/01302009/news/regionalnews/busts_outside_mike_gala_152740.htm
DEMOCRACY NOW! http://i4.democracynow.org/2009/1/30/headlines
DAILY NEWS http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/01/news-of-the-day-419.html

- from Beet Banu

Who exactly is AIPAC?

AIPAC, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, describes itself as the most important organization affecting the U.S. relationship with Israel. With a budget of $65 million, and membership now standing at over 100,000, it is no wonder that congressional staffers consider it one of the most powerful and effective lobbies on Capitol Hill. Once a year, AIPAC holds its annual conference in Washington DC. This May it was attended by over 5,000 participants. Its annual policy conference is one of Washington’s largest gatherings of lawmakers, topped only by the President’s State of the Union address.

Basically AIPAC lobbies the US lawmakers to push forward pro-Zionist legislature. Such as:
HR 4681:Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006. This bill restricts humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories, designates Palestinian territory as a “terrorist sanctuary," and prohibits official Palestinian diplomacy or representation in the United States. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 361-37.

It also funds itself by member contributions and fundraisers.
It is describe as "currently one of the most powerful and connected lobbying groups in Washington."

AIPAC lobbies for financial aid from the United States to Israel, helping to procure up to three billion in aid yearly. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs has estimated total aid since 1949 at about $108 billion.

The New York Times described AIPAC on July 6, 1987 as "a major force in shaping United States policy in the Middle East."

More to come. Including updated Press release and statements.
----
The AIPAC 10:
Ian Chinich
David Florey
Andrew Hecht
Claire Lewis
Maria Lewis
Gabi Pawelec
Yvette Sallay
Alana Smith
Emily Steinkamp
Matt Swagler

U-Lock Justice for Palestine

Protest of AIPAC fundrasising
At 6:30 PM on Thursday, January 29, ten young activists peacefully blocked the two main entrances to the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square to protest the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Fundraising Gala. The action, which lasted just under two hours, coincided with a 250-person protest rally in front of the hotel, separately organized by the Break the Siege On Gaza Coalition—Student Committee. All ten activists were arrested, spurring the formation of a campaign for their defense and for the conscious escalation of pro-Gaza activism.

More than a month after Israel began its massive assault on Gaza and amidst international protests, AIPAC held a $1500-a-plate fundraising dinner, its largest event of the year. The event was attended by prominent business people, lobbyists and U.S. politicians, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The blockade disrupted what the participating activists considered a disgraceful gathering.

The Marriott blockade comes on the heels of several similar actions opposing
Israel’s recent conduct that have occurred in cities around the world such as Toronto and San Francisco and at over a dozen universities in England. In its scope, tactics, and goals, the movement to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine recalls the movement that arose in opposition to Apartheid in South Africa. Campaign participant Conor Tomás Reed said, “the blockade is a contribution to this international struggle and can serve as a catalyst for future actions.”

(Taken from FaceBook Group's I Support the AIPAC 10)