Press Release 07/30/02   Coloradoans travel to Palestine to protest Israeli military occupation

Saira Hamidi

e-mail: miss_masala@hotmail.com

phone: (303) 564-6852

Coloradoans Jill Dreier and Samantha Messier are currently in Palestine as delegates from the Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace (CCMEP) to the Freedom Summer 2002 campaign against the occupation organized by the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Freedom Summer Palestine is a campaign designed to highlight to the world the injustice of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the inevitable rightness of freedom and the determination of a people to achieve freedom.  The delegates will be participating in non-violent direct action to protest violations of international law.  These actions may include serving as human shields in the homes of Palestinian civilians, observing checkpoints, or delivering food, water, and medicine to areas under closure and curfew.

Jill Dreier lives in Denver and has been active in organizing for social justice and political change.  She is particularly interested in exposing how the United States Government promotes its’ interests around the world.  “Living in the United States, I cannot sit back and watch the U.S. Government’s role in the Israel/Palestine conflict.  The U.S. is giving an average of sixteen million a day to the Israeli Government in aid.  It is important to let the American public know how their money is being spent.”

Dr. Samantha Messier is a resident of Boulder, CO.  She is a biologist and educator with the University of Colorado. She believes that the best way to ensure that Israelis and Palestinians enjoy safety, prosperity, and political freedom is to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and to establish a thriving, independent Palestinian state.  “I want to bring with me the message that not all Americans have forgotten the Palestinians. The real heroes of Palestine are the Palestinians and Israelis who are opposing the occupation every day through non-violent means at great risk to themselves.  I hope to honor them by bringing home with me their stories of struggle and courage in the face of violent oppression.”

Full biographies and photographs of Jill Dreier and Samantha Messier are available at http://www.ccmep.org/palestine.html

*******The delegates may be reached directly in Palestine by e-mail or cell phone:

Jill Dreier                                                                      Samantha Messier

e-mail:  jcdreier@yahoo.com                                       e-mail:  sammessier@hotmail.com

cell:+972 5892 0564                                                    cell: +972 6727 8105

The Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace (CCMEP) is dedicated to ending the U.S. led sanctions and bombings against Iraq, and ending American support for illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and oppression of the Palestinian people by Israel, in accordance with international law. 

Website: www.ccmep.org

The International Solidarity Movement is a Palestinian-led movement of Palestinian and International activists working to raise awareness of the struggle for Palestinian freedom and an end to Israeli occupation. We utilize nonviolent, direct-action methods of resistance to confront and challenge illegal Israeli occupation forces and policies.

Website:  http://www.palsolidarity.org/