With the recent activities surrounding Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s observance on January 19, I’ve been on the lookout for people who are still living the lessons he taught us about non-violent resistance and compassion for our fellow humans.
Someone shared this video with me of Huwaida Arraf, an American peace worker, standing up to Israeli soldiers who are firing into a crowd of demonstrating Palestinian teenagers.
American Peace Worker vs. Israeli Soldier
Back here in the States, a Des Moines woman has formed a very special bond with a Palestinian family from Gaza. Jamie Woodson met Mohammed through a friend who is a documentary film maker. Mohammed has studied English so they’ve kept in touch via Skype and email whenever he has access to it.
Mohammed is 20 years old and dreams of finishing his degree at Al-Azhar University. He has been studying English and Film with hopes of leaving Gaza to tell his family’s story in America. Here he is with some other young Palestinians performing in a concert promoting peace.
He lives in his family’s home in the Jabaliya refugee camp, where he and his two sisters, ages 18 and 12, were born. Mohammed hasn’t been able to continue his studies, which he was funding with help from Jamie.
Now, like so many other refugee families, they are facing food shortages, a lack of electricity and a chilling uncertainty about the future of their country, their homes, and their lives.
Jamie is raising money to send to them so they can buy food and basic supplies and she also helps raise money and awareness through the Ameircan Friends Service Committee (AFSC.)
A well organized effort is underway to provide aid, moral support, and solidarity to the people affected by the fighting going on in Gaza. No matter what your feelings about the conflict, know that we all have responsibilities to each other, human to human, life to life. The American Friends Service Committee is a well known provider of relief aid and non-violent resistance in conflicts around the world and they have swiftly mobilized to start caring for people affected by the attacks in Gaza. They are currently accepting monetary donations to help buy supplies and fund transportation and communications. You can learn more about their efforts and how to help at their website:
American Friends Service Committee: Palestine
Don’t let people like Huwaida Arraf and Jamie Woodson stand alone in their fight for compassion amidst conflict. Stand up and put your values into action.
Peace.
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