New Paltz BDS Action

Passing out new flyers in New Paltz

on a busy Saturday afternoon

Eight Middle East Crisis members passed out about 250 flyers at the main light in New Paltz. We reworded the flyer to cover several products made in the illegal West Bank settlements, rather than just concentrate on Ahava being distributed by CVS stores.

This freed us to go where the people are. Most people take the flyers. Some thank us, and a few stop to discuss the issues. 

The "I Am Jewish" signs provoked the most heated response of the day, a man screaming an obscenity from his car window. 

Two students from Saudi Arabia said that they never expected to see this in America, and that they were very thankful for us being there.

CVS Demo June 3

Ten of us held signs and passed out flyers in front of the Woodstock CVS. We were able to give out about 100 flyers, mostly because we walked up to the Village Green at the end.

We have to pick a time when there are more pedestrians, like Saturday from 2 - 3 pm. Also, we need to identify other stores that carry settlement products.

Nevertheless, it was a good event, with lots of support from passing cars. One woman who got a flyer when into the store to talk to the manager. More people stopped and talked this time after they had gotten a flyer. Several people thanked us for doing the event.

Nakba day...

MECR in Woodstock remembering the Nakba. We also had a demonstration in New Paltz.

Showing of Steadfast Hope

Although Dutchess Peace was a cosponsor of this film rather than MECR, a few of us were involved in bringing the film to Christ Church in Poughkeepsie and showing it there. Lillian Rosengarten, a member of the Jewish Boat to Gaza, read one of her poems at the end. About 35 people attended. Only Tarak and I were there from MECR (thanks, Tarak), meaning we had almost all new people. They loved the film and several mentioned buying the film for their churches.

Bard Checkpoint Demonstration

Several numbers of MECR took part in this "checkpoint" at Bard College. Doing it in front of the student center during lunch got a lot of attention.

Being stopped and questioned based on one's ethnic identity seems antithetical to a free society. Imagine what it feels like to live under this racial profiling from day to day in the West Bank.

Thanks to the Bard ISM for inviting us to participate.

Poughkeepsie Journal

Dear Mrs. Corrie,

Once again residents of the Hudson Valley have paid tribute to your brave daughter with their annual newspaper "In Memoriam", a copy of which is attached. You may be interested that many of them are Jewish, and we have several Muslim contributors as well as those of other persuasions.  Her sacrifice is never far from our minds, nor are your efforts to secure a measure of justice in this matter.  We thank you also for your tireless work on behalf of the Palestinians.

Sincerely,

Gregory

Eight members of MECR traveled to DC for Occupy AIPEC. W had a great workshop on Saturday with up to 400 people. The demonstration at AIPEC on Sunday was smaller. We were out at 7:00 am when participants were making their way into the convention center. We could have used more people because it was a very effective time to engage those attending the AIPAC event.

Great poster about Obama and AIPAC.

Larger than life political con artist.

Celebrating at Busboys and Poets Saturday night.