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Al-Awda's Third Annual International Convention - A Resounding Success!

19 April 2005

Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition held its Third Annual International Convention at the University of California in Los Angeles on the weekend of April 15-17, 2005. The convention entitled "Empowering the Palestine Right to Return Movement" was attended by hundreds of activists from the US, Canada and elsewhere, who came together to learn, discuss and share their ideas at a time when our voices are needed most.

The convention, which coincided with a number of Palestinian national anniversaries, featured keynote Palestinian speakers from Lebanon and Palestine, as well as a former political prisoner.

The day-long organizing and strategizing workshops on Saturday followed the plenary session which included Dr. Saree Makdisi, Dr. George Bisharat and Elias Rashmawi. The workshops dealt with topics ranging from cultural, youth, women and student organizing, to developing Al-Awda chapters, campaigns related to divestment, media and Palestinian political prisoners,
among others. Some of these workshops have already begun to implement their work plans and resolutions.

The Friday night opening session was followed by outstanding spoken word performances featuring Mark Gonzalez, Jade, Ahmed and Shaheed. A Palestinian cultural night special event capped the second day of the convention. At this event, participants enjoyed an evening of poetry, folkloric dabke dance performed by the youth of Beir Zeit Society of Southern
California, music by world famous maestro and violinist Dr. Nabil Azzam, and Palestinian and Arab nationalist songs by gifted Palestinian singer Worood who mesmerized the crowd especially with her rendition of Fairuz's "One Day We Shall Return". This was followed by a Palestinian fashion show and readings of essays from children in the refugee camps. The Saturday night event also featured "Palestine: The Exodus & The Odyssey", an outstanding exhibit by Palestinian artist Ismail Shammout.

On Sunday morning, a general meeting was held in which the results of the workshop deliberations and resolutions were shared and discussed further.

Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition congratulates and thanks its members, supporters, donors and friends for making this year's convention an outstanding success. We especially thank, with much appreciation for their dedication and hard work, the Southern California community-wide Host Committee, which included Palestinian, Arab-American and
other peace and justice organizations, for joining with us in organizing this year's convention.

Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
PO Box 131352
Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA
Tel: 760-685-3243
Fax: 360-933-3568
E-mail: info@al-awda.org
WWW: http://al-awda.org

Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition (PRRC) is the largest network of grassroots activists and students dedicated to Palestinian human rights. We are a not for profit tax-exempt educational and charitable 501(c)(3) organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America. Under IRS guidelines, your donations to PRRC
are tax-deductible.





 

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