Palestine: ISM Update Remembering Rachel Corrie

1. Rachel's parents file lawsuits against Caterpillar and Israel 2. Jenin commemorates Rachel's life 3. Berkeley event today 4. Chicago event today

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1. The. Family of Rachel Corrie Charges Bulldozer Manufacturer Knowingly Sold Machines Used to Violate Human Rights

March 15, 2005, New York, NY partnering law firms today filed a Federal lawsuit against Illinois-based Caterpillar, Inc. on behalf of the parents of Rachel Corrie, the 23-year-old American peace activist and student who was run over and killed by a Caterpillar D9 bulldozer on March 16, 2003.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western Federal District of Washington, alleges that Caterpillar, Inc. violated international and state law by providing specially designed bulldozers to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that it knew would be used to demolish homes and endanger civilians.

The Corries' daughter Rachel, a student at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, was there as a volunteer peace activist protesting the demolition of Palestinian homes when she was brutally killed.

Much of the world community, including international human rights organizations and the United Nations, has consistently condemned these demolitions as a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

The Corries also filed a tort claim today in Israel against the State of Israel, the Israeli Defense Ministry and the IDF for their role in the death of their daughter. They are represented by Advocate Hussein Abu Hussein.

Rachel's mother, Cindy Corrie, stated, "As we approach the two-year anniversary of Rachel's killing, my family and I are still searching for justice. The brutal death of my daughter should never have happened and our family condemns attacks on all civilians. We believe Caterpillar and the IDF must be held accountable for their role in the attack on my daughter Rachel."

Jennie Green, Senior Attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, stated, "International law clearly provides that corporations can be held accountable for violations of international human rights. Rachel Corrie, a young American killed abroad because Caterpillar purposefully turns a blind eye as to how their products are used, must have access to justice."

Over the past four years, the IDF has used Caterpillar bulldozers to destroy more than 4,000 Palestinian homes, injuring, killing, or leaving homeless scores of individuals in the process. Human Rights groups have sent over 50,000 letters to Caterpillar, Inc. executives and CEO Jim Owens, decrying the use of Caterpillar bulldozers to carry out human rights abuses.

Plaintiffs Craig and Cindy Corrie are represented by lawyers from the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Ronald J. Peterson Law Clinic at Seattle University Law School, and the Public Interest Law Group PLLC in Seattle, Washington.

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2. Jenin- March 15th, 2005 Today the people of Jenin, including members of all Palestinian political groups and ISM activists, gathered to commemorate Rachel Corrie.

The commemoration was held in front of the Jenin office of the International Red Cross. The Governor of Jenin, Kadura Musa, and Ali Samudi, one of ISM's local coordinators in Jenin, delivered speeches honoring Rachel's life and legacy.

They spoke of the affinity the people of Jenin feel towards Rachel as many of Jenin's residents where crushed under the rubble of their own homes during the April invasions of 2002. They spoke of the hope that Rachel's life had given them of the importance of knowing that they are not alone.

International ISM activists addressed the crowd and confirmed that they were committed to continuing Rachel's work until no person had to live in fear of the bulldozers, tanks and bullets of the Occupation.

At the end of the rally a letter was delivered to Red Cross representatives demanding international protection for the Palestinian people and condemning the violence Israel has used against activists who come in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

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3. Berkeley- REMEMBERING RACHEL CORRIE An Evening of Music, Poetry and Activism

Come celebrate the life and activism of International Solidarity Movement activist Rachel Corrie who was killed by a D-9 Caterpillar bulldozer driven by Israeli soldiers on March 16, 2003 while non- violently attempting to prevent the demolition of a family home in the refugee camp of Rafah, Occupied Palestine. Find out what Palestine solidarity activists and others are doing to further the cause of peace and justice in the Middle East and the world.

Featured Speakers: Peter Camejo - Julia Butterfly Hill - Pratap Chatterjee - Barbara Lubin - Starhawk - Dennis Bernstein - Pierre Labossiere - Ceanna Stephens

Featured Musicians: Iron Sheik - Matthew Owens - Tariq Ghazalah – Brass Liberation Orchestra and many more.

Also featuring the poet Noura Erakat

Time: Wednesday, March 16th, 7:30 PM Place: Florence Schwimley Little Theater, 1930 Allston Way Note venue & time change for this important event Requested Donation $20 (No one turned away for lack of funds)

http://www.norcalism.org

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4.Chicago-A Benefit for the International Solidarity Movement & The Rachel Corrie Foundation

Cosponsored by: ADC-SF, Circle of Life, CorpWatch, Global Exchange, Green Party of Alameda County, Haiti Action Committee, Jewish Voice for Peace, KPFA 94.1 FM, MECA, The Rebuilding Alliance, SUSTAIN.

Wheelchair Accessible - American Sign Language Interpreted For more information: 510.236.4250, 510.825.6968

March 16, 2005 New World Resource Center,1300 N. Western Avenue, Chicago 7 PM - 8:30 PM Free Admission* Music & Spoken Word Performance by Joe Carr Rachel Corrie was a 23-year-old from Olympia, Washington, who was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer on March16, 2003, while undertaking nonviolent direct action to protect the home of a Palestinian doctor, his wife, and three children from illegal demolition by Israeli Occupation Forces. Since her killing, an enormous amount of solidarity activities have been carried out in her name around the world. Rachel was a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement.

Please join us on Wednesday, March 16, to celebrate her life and the struggle for self-determination by the Palestinian people. We will gather to remember and honor her sacrifice. We also honor the Palestinians that have lost their lives in the struggle for freedom. We do not place the life of Rachel Corrie above the life of any Palestinian that has died as a result of the illegal Israeli occupation.

Music And Spoken Word Performance By Joe Carr Joe Carr is a 23-year-old peace and anti-oppression activist from Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated with a BA from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington in 2004, having organized with direct-action movements such as Earth First, Food Not Bombs, and Arts in Activism. He spent January to April of 2003 coordinating for the International Solidarity Movement in Rafah, Palestine, and witnessed Israeli soldiers murder US peace activist Rachel Corrie, and British peace activist Tom Hurndall. He now works with the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Al Khalil (Hebron), Palestine and in the US Palestinian Rights Movement. He is a performance artist, poet, and musician and uses art to help Americans identify with the Palestinian plight.

The March 16 program will include a 20 minute video on the illegal destruction of Palestinian homes and time for personal testimony by those attending on what Rachel's life means to them.

*Free admission to all. There will, however, be a goodwill collection to cover costs and support Palestine solidarity work.

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