Over the past few years many community members (including me) began to question ADC’s commitment to grassroots activism and its membership base. Since the atrocities in Gaza began ADC has proved its critics wrong. Within hours of the first missles fired into Gaza, I remember opening my e-mail box and finding a toughly worded statement by ADC condemning the attacks. The statement did not include the p.c. language of “Hamas must stop its rocket attacks…”, rather it got straight to the point and condemned the root of the problem, Israeli’s continued occupation and aggression. Within a day of the attacks ADC staff members, volunteers, and Chapter leaders were published in papers across the country.
The head on approach taken by ADC on Gaza has an underlying strategy, and that is to take it back to grassroots. ADC is listening to its members and acting, rather than sitting on the sidelines or kissing ass as other Arab groups are doing (see ATFP: Americans Tasked to Fuck Palestine). ADC has extended its office hours and created an online resource center. Further, they have put together a string of grassroots events, some of which I have listed below.
On the ADC homepage it says, “It is in a time of crisis that one discovers the difference between those who only talk, and those capable of taking action.” ADC has proved to us that they are capable of taking action. I sincerely hope that ADC continues on this path… kudos.
Upcoming ADC Events in the DC area:
NATIONAL “WEAR YOUR KUFFIYAH DAY”: MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2009
People across the country are being asked to wear their Kuffiyahs on Monday. This symbolic gesture will bring awareness to the plight of the Palestinian people. Take a moment to explain to anyone who asks what is happening and has been happening to the Palestinians for the last 60 years and why you are wearing your Kuffiyah.
NATIONAL DAY OF FASTING: TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2009
On this upcoming Tuesday people are asked to fast the whole day, refraining from food and water. Further, as a sign of unity, it is asked that individuals donate the amount of money they would have spent on food this day to Gaza Relief. ADC recommends that the donations be made to the following organizations: United Palestinian Appeal and American Near East Refugee Aid
GAZA: THE SPOKEN TRUTH: THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2009
Poets and spoken word artists will share their feelings on the massacre of Gaza at the ADC Headquarters, 1732 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington D.C., on Thursday at 7:30 P.M. The event is free and open to the public but space is limited, so please rsvp to rsvp@adc.org.
Related posts:
- The Paradox of Hostage-Taking in Israel-Palestine
- British Taking Lead in Boycott Israel Movement
- No power, no fuel, no food, no justice
- A Cultural Boycott of Israel
- America is clearly taking sides…
This is great!It’s about time ADC started attracting members under the age of 65! Too bad it took this tragedy.
Posted by Anonymous | January 11, 2009, 8:40 pmur so write! good jobs adc.
Posted by Ali Krayem | January 11, 2009, 4:49 pmVery well put. I was thinking along the same lines. ADC has really stood out this time. I hope it keeps rolling.
Posted by Anonymous | January 11, 2009, 9:55 pmTrue, but Ralph Nader for President of ADC! I wish, I wish.
Posted by Will | January 11, 2009, 9:58 pmBudatti, I want to see an ADC-watch website! Make it happen, son!
Posted by Joel | January 11, 2009, 10:30 pmNot so sure about starting an ADC-Watch website, but I do support Ralph Nader for President of the organization. ADC is back on the right path, but needs real leadership to take it to the next level. Like Will, I think Ralph is the man for the job.
Posted by Programmer Buydatti | January 11, 2009, 11:12 pm