End the Occupation

We've Got an Amazing Conference Coming Up! Register Today!

by Rana Libdeh, Membership and Outreach Coordinator
July 14th, 2011

We may be into the dog days of summer, but our national coalition of more than 350 organizations is working harder than ever to end U.S. support for Israeli occupation and apartheid and to change U.S. policy toward Palestine/Israel to support human rights, international law and equality.

From organizing a U.S. contingent in the flotilla to Gaza, to thanking basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar for not participating in the Jerusalem Film Festival, to contributing to a new global military embargo of Israel, to mobilizing people to pressure TIAA-CREF to divest from Israeli occupation, to challenging a threatened U.S. veto of Palestinian UN membership, the US Campaign and its member groups are energized and on the move.

We have so much to share, to learn from each other, and to develop plans together to achieve our goals. Which is why we are excited to invite you to register today for the US Campaign's 10th Annual National Organizers' Conference, September 16-19, at the historic Thurgood Marshall Center in Washington, DC!

The Thurgood Marshall Center served as the first full-service YMCA for African Americans in the nation. We're honored to hold this year's conference at such a historic venue!

Register and pay by Friday, August 19, at 11:59 pm EDT to receive the "early bird" discounted price of $100!

Register now because the cost will increase to $125 after August 19. Registration fees include five meals, conference materials, access to all events, and a special benefit concert with world-renowned violinist and oud player Simon Shaheen.

This year's conference--"Looking Back, Moving Forward: How to Align U.S. Policy with Freedom, Justice, and Equality"--marks a decade of activism for human rights by our rapidly growing coalition.

Our list of speakers and panelists includes political analyst and author Omar Barghouti, syndicated columnist Rami Khouri, author and analyst Phyllis Bennis, writer and analyst Nadia Hijab, publisher and journalist Helena Cobban and more!

Prominent activists from member groups of the US Campaign--Jennifer Bing (American Friends Service Committee), Cindy Corrie, (invited, Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice), Nancy Kricorian (CODEPINK), Peter Miller (Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights), Martha Reese (Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine), David Wildman (General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church), to name a few--will share their experiences in developing successful tactics and strategies to sharpen our boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaigning and our work to end U.S. diplomatic and military support for Israeli human rights abuses.

Please check our conference web site regularly as we continue to add confirmed speakers.

US Campaign member groups in good standing also have the opportunity to:

Submit a Proposal. The US Campaign will be accepting  proposals to endorse campaigns or initiatives organized by a member group in good standing to advance the coalition's goals. All proposals must be received no later than 11:59 pm EDT, Friday, August 19.

Host a Workshop. Member groups in good standing can submit an application to hold a grassroots workshop on Sunday. All applications must be received no later than 11:59 pm EDT, Friday, August 19.

Join us for this important and exciting conference to reflect on our coalition's past and current work, our achievements and struggles, and to help us set the stage to end U.S. support of Israeli occupation and apartheid.

The US Campaign has a limited number of reduced-price registrations available for students and/or low-income people who are willing to help with conference logistics. If you would like to inquire about a reduced-price registration, please contact Rana Libdeh at membership@endtheoccupation.org or 202-332-0994.

We hope to see you in DC, September 16-19!