End the Occupation

Chicago Event to Feature President of UN General Assembly, Prominent Palestinian Analysts Khalidi and Barghouti

(Chicago, IL) August 24 - Prof. Rashid Khalidi, Director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University, and Omar Barghouti, Palestinian political commentator and human rights activist, will be the featured speakers at a public event September 12, 2009, at First United Methodist Church Chicago Temple in Chicago, from 7:00 - 10:00 PM. In addition, the event will feature a special recorded message from Father Miguel d'Escoto, President of the United Nations General Assembly, on the last night of his term of office.

The event, "Speaking Out," will be taking place as part of the 8th Annual National Organizers' Conference of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, a national coalition of more than 300 organizations working to change U.S. policy toward Israel/Palestine to support human rights, international law, and equality. The event will also feature spoken word by Washington, D.C. artist Tala Abu Rahmeh as well a dinner featuring traditional Middle Eastern fare. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased on the US Campaign's website at http://www.endtheoccupation.org.

Members of the media are invited to attend the event free of charge.  Members of the media can register for press accreditation by clicking here. The Saturday night event will be the only portion of the conference open to the media. Prof. Khalidi and Mr. Barghouti will be available for interviews given advance notice--please note your interest in interviewing on the press accreditation form.

Each year, member groups of the US Campaign meet to discuss strategies and tactics for changing U.S. policy toward Israel/Palestine. This year's conference will focus on changing U.S. policy in the Obama era, expanding the boycott and divestment work of the US Campaign, and strategies for breaking the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip. For more information on the Annual National Organizers' Conference of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, click here.

Khalidi and Barghouti will address how U.S. policy and the global movement for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel affect prospects for peace in Israel/Palestine. In the aftermath of Israel's December-January attacks on the Gaza Strip, and with the election of President Barack Obama, the American public has once again focused its attention on the region. Khalidi and Barghouti will provide insights into how U.S. citizens can work to create real change in Israel/Palestine. For more information about the Saturday night event, click here.

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