The destructive impact of war affects our entire human society:
Loss of life, disruption of any sense of security; destruction of homes, cities and the environment; and immeasurable human suffering.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an ongoing conflict over land and self-determination. We are approaching the 11th month since the latest “official” war between the Palestinian and Israeli military forces began on Oct 7, 2023.
This ongoing conflict has devastated the civilian population of Gaza. Today, we will hear about one family’s personal living experience in the midst of this war.
“Let us center ourselves in justice as we call for peace.”
Speakers:
Sandra-
I am Xicana (being of Mexican descent, who decolonizes the broadened, over-generalized Euro-centric frameworks of “Hispanic”; acknowledging my ancestry of holding mixed-Indigenous blood). I’m a recent revert to Islam. Currently, I am sponsoring Hanady’s family in this fundraising with the UUCR. As an undergrad, I attended Northern Arizona University and was both First-
Generation, and first Womxn in my family to have received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology,
Developmental Psych. emphasis, with a Minor in Ethnic Studies. Currently, I work at an after-school program called “Think Together” as a program leader for TK-6th grade elementary levels (can’t wait to work with “littles” -1st & 2nd grade this school year!!). I have middle- kid syndrome; with 2 older sisters and a younger brother.
Rumzi-
I’m a Muslim Palestinian. I’m a Muslim first, Palestinian second. I was born and raised in Northern California and have dual Palestinian/American citizenship. I’m originally from the West Bank and have spent a good portion of my childhood there. I’m the oldest of 4 children (3 younger sisters). My mother’s side of the family was ethnically cleansed in the 1948 Nakba. I’m about to begin my final year as a Chemical Engineering student at UCR.
Debbie-
Debbie is a participant in Riverside 4 Palestine and is in close contact with all of the Gaza families that are connected to the group. She is close to a family from Gaza that she met while in college in the early 2000’s and has been a strong advocate for Palestine ever since. She helped fundraise for members of that family and helped to evacuate 29 people from Gaza up until the final hours before the bombing of the Rafah crossing in May of this year. She is also close with Hanady and her kids and maintains regular communication with journalists on the ground in Palestine. She considers herself a type of independent journalist herself.
Topics: Current or Recent Events, Social and Environmental Justice