March 16, 2010

Dear friend,

Seven years ago today, 23 year-old Rachel Corrie of Olympia, Washington was crushed to death by a Caterpillar D-9R bulldozer driven by an Israeli soldier.  Rachel was part of an International Solidarity Movement group trying to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian pharmacist's home in Rafah, Gaza.

Seven years later, Rachel's memory is still vibrant and her family is still fighting for answers.  Rachel's parents, who traveled with CODEPINK to Gaza last year, and sister are currently in Israel participating in a civil case against the state of Israel for intentional and unlawful killing and gross negligence in Rachel's death.
In addition to seeking accountability for Rachel's death through the Israeli court system, the Corrie family has requested that we support Rachel's vision of freedom for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip by participating in a national call-in day to the White House.

Please honor the request of this bereaved family and do the following:

    * Call the White House at 202-456-1111
    * Urge Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell to visit Gaza and demand that the United States break the blockade of Gaza by providing immediate humanitarian aid and building materials.
    * Click here to report back about how your call goes

You can also send the White House an email making these demands, but truth be told, phone calls are taken more seriously.  Click here to send President Obama an email calling for him to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.  Congressman Brian Baird, whose constituents include Rachel's parents Cindy and Craig, has already sent a letter to President Obama requesting that the United States break the siege of Gaza.

In addition to participating in our national call-in day, you may be able to attend a Rachel Corrie memorial event in your area.  Click here to find out what's happening in your neighborhood.

Another way to show your support for the Corrie family as they move forward with their civil case in Israel is to stay updated on the trial.  The Corries and their supporters will be posting reports from the courtroom, media mentions of the case, and other updates on the Rachel Corrie Foundation website.  Click here to view the trial updates page on the Rachel Corrie Foundation website.  Monitor coverage of the trial in your local media and post favorable comments about trial coverage for on-line media stories and write a letter-to-the-editor if your newspaper includes trial coverage.  For tips on how to write a letter-to-the-editor, click here.

Onwards to Lift the Siege of Gaza!

Peace,

CODEPINK Staff

This alert is being urgently sent to you by CODEPINK and the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, a coalition of over 300 organizations working together for justice, peace, and human rights.