C

 

 

P

 

 

R

 

 

 

 

 

ICPR November 15-16, 2007, Public Event:   IF AMERICANS KNEW

 

 

Concluding its public activities for 2007, The Interfaith Community for Palestinian Rights (ICPR), Austin, TX, organized and held two public events during November, entitled IF AMERICANS KNEW. This effort was in accord with ICPR’s basic mission to educate more American citizens about the truth regarding the history and present status of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict in the Holy Land.

 

On November 15, ICPR, cooperating with the Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSC) of the University of Texas-Austin, held an event on UT’s campus before about 140 attendees. On November 16, the same event was held off-campus at Austin’s St. Ignatius, Martyr, Catholic Church, before about 50 attendees.

The off-campus event, while smaller in number, was satisfying in that a number of persons attending had had little prior experience with the Palestinian/Israeli issue.

 

Ms. Alison Weir, journalist, activist, and founder and director of  IF AMERICANS KNEW (seewww.ifamericansknew.org), was keynote speaker, presenting much excellent data gained from her long and exhausting research of US printed and TV media.  Weir showed graphically how unbalanced most US media are, giving much more time and space to Israeli interests than Palestinian. Pointed out were alternate news channels which should also be consulted by a person seeking more complete and fair information. There were lively question-and-answer sessions.

 

Mr. Alan Pogue, award-winning Austin professional photographer andVietnam veteran, also spoke and exhibited impressive photos taken during his travels in the Occupied Territories and in Israel, photos showing persons affected by oppressive Israeli government policies toward Palestinians.  Pogue told of his personal calling to work for justice via photographic documentation. He also introduced copies of his newly-published book, WITNESS FOR JUSTICE. (Seewww.documentaryphotographs.com )

 

The event was sponsored by the following organizations:  ICPR, PSC, Pax Christi-Austin, Friends of Sabeel – North America, Veterans for Peace – Austin, and Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Working for a wider and deeper understanding of the issues, ICPR hopes to contribute to realization of a secure peace with justice for all occupants, both Palestinians and Israelis, of that long-troubled region.

 

Back