Proposal to dedicate this sixth anniversary to the memory of Rachel Corrie... R9Eâ„¢

Not in Canada you won't!  I might get arrested. 

From David in WW4 report

‘Corrie’ canceled in Canada

Play has potential to offend Jewish community

It’s curtains for “My Name Is Rachel Corrie” in Canada.
By RICHARD OUZOUNIAN

Those who followed the saga of the original cancellation of “My Name is Rachel Corrie” will recall New York Theater Workshop Artistic Director James Nicola’s first explanation as to why the play had been cancelled: “Listening in our communities in New York, what we heard was that after Ariel Sharon’s illness and the election of Hamas in the recent Palestinian elections, we had a very edgy situation.”(LAT, March 10)

An echo of Nicola’s fears north of the border occurred within the last couple of months in the Canadian Jewish News. Upon hearing of the possible staging in Toronto of My Name is Rachel Corrie, Alicia Richler, associate director of communications for the Canada-Israel Committee, said that although everyone in Canada has the right to free speech, the timing of the news is poor, since an Israeli man was recently killed when a rocket launched from the northern Gaza Strip hit a factory in Sderot.

From the Toronto Star Dec. 24. The alternate version being told among CanStage insiders: Members of Bragg’s board were alarmed by negative response from influential supporters of the theatre, especially in Toronto’s Jewish community, who were canvassed for their opinion. Many were dismayed and openly critical when confronted with the prospect of the city’s flagship not-for-profit theatre producing a play that could be construed as anti-Semitic propaganda, especially during a frightening period when Israel’s existence is threatened by Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.

That's really painful.  I have a sort of "saint card" for Rachel with her picture and the words "Rachel, we won't forget you" on my bookshelf that someone gave me a few months ago and now I'm especially glad I have it.

I love Billy Bragg!! will have to acquire. thanks for sharing this, Gretavo!!

as i have said elsewhere, i lived in beirut as a kid. the refugee camps were there then and are still there now. we had palestinian friends, coworkers, neighbors.  this issue is close to my heart.

a friend of mine from high school, an american jewish antiwar activist (vietnam, but war on iraq was okay), now "the midwife of israel", said to me recently - "they" are not enlightened or evolved like you and i" . i was heartsick. have had many arguments with jewish friends over palestine and israel. when i mentioned to her about certain jewish folk in the anti-war, 911 truth movement, she said "they should be supporting israel!".   

tomorrow i will be attending an interfaith 9/11 event put on by a group called AJMA (congregation in arabic). Jews and muslims, along with other faiths will be attending. it's the very least i can do.

here's a cause that may bring a little comfort: http://www.rebuildingalliance.org/

check out the "Gaza" square regarding THE HOUSE RACHEL WAS TRYING TO PROTECT.

buttons out on the streets on 9/11. Good luck out there everybody. Be Brave! We should all have just one ounce of the courage and dignity of Rachel.