Media Advisory: Thousands to March Against Israeli Massacres: Press Conference at Daly Plaza and Rally in front of Israeli Consulate
(CHICAGO, IL, 1/09/09) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is co-sponsoring a mass protest along with a coalition of over 30 organizations. The rally will begin with a press conference at Daly Plaza where leaders from diverse communities will call on public officials to help stop Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, restore the cease-fire, end U.S. military aid to Israel, and initiate peace negotiations in the Middle East during the coming year. CAIR said in a statement this week, "This unimaginable carnage is being carried out with the political and monetary support of our own government. Elected officials must stand up for justice and demand an end to Israeli war crimes."
WHEN: Friday (TODAY), January 9th, 3:30 PM
WHAT: Press conference, march, and rally calling for a ceasefire and end to the massacre of innocent civilians
WHERE: Meeting at Daly Plaza (50 W Washington St), and marching to the Israeli Consulate (111 E Wacker Dr). Protesters will march north on Dearborn and then east on Wacker.
WHO:Sponsored by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine (this Coalition consists of the Chicagoland Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and Arab Church groups that formed when the attacks on Gaza began); and (list in formation): American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)-Chicago, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), ANSWER Chicago, Arab American Action Network (AAAN), Arab Jewish Partnership for Peace and Justice in the Middle East, Arab Student Union-Moraine Valley Community College, Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism (CCAWR), Chicago Islamic Center, Children of Palestine, Comite Anti-Militarizacion (CAMY), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Chicago, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), Fight Back! Newspaper, Guadalupe Mission-Little Village, International Solidarity Movement (ISM)-Chicago, Islamic Community Center of Illinois (ICCI), March 10th Movement, Mosque Foundation, Muslim American Society (MAS) Freedom Foundation, Muslim Student Association (MSA)-University of Chicago, National Boricua Human Rights Network, Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG)-Chicago, Palestine Humanitarian Aid Project (PHAP), Palestinian American Community Center, Peace Pledge-Chicago, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)-DePaul University, SJP-Northwestern University (NU), SJP-University of Illinois-Champaign, SJP-University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), United Holy Land Fund (UHLF), United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN)-Chicago, Wright College Students for Peace and Justice
CAIR-Chicago, a chapter of America's largest Muslim civil rights group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: Amina Sharif, Communications Coordinator, CAIR-Chicago, (312) 212-1520 or (630) 935-5562 , E-Mail:asharif@cair.com;