Palestinian Americans to commemorate 66 years of dispossession by educating public about Palestine
CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago chapter of the American Muslims for Palestine will mark 66 years of the Nakba and refugee status by handing out informational materials at Daley Plaza in Chicago from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2014.
The Nakba is Arabic for ‘catastrophe,’ and commemorates the events that took place between 1947 and 1949 when Jewish militias and terror groups killed 13,000 Palestinians, forced 75 percent of the Palestinian population — 750,000 people — from Palestine and destroyed more than 500 villages to make room for the new state of Israel.
“We want people to know that the Nakba still continues today in the Israeli apartheid policies that result in the military occupation of Palestine, the restriction on freedom of movement, the demolition in thousands of Palestinian homes and the random arrest and detentions of thousands of political prisoners, including 700 children, every year,” said Nida Sahouri, AMP-Chicago chapter chairwoman. “We Americans fund this with our tax dollars. We just want people to know the truth so one day they will pressure Congress to approve a more fair and balanced foreign policy in the Middle East.”
The Chicago chapter also will host its annual outdoor Nakba commemoration and Palestinian heritage event from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, outside Universal School, 7350 W 93rd St., in Bridgeview. The event will include a Palestine Parade, authentic Palestinian cuisine, a bazaar, folk dancing and songs, and bread, freshly baked on traditional ‘taboon,’ or ovens.
Read AMP’s statement on the Nakba.
Read Nakba Fact Sheet.
Download AMP’s booklet: The Nakba: Preserving our Narrative.
The American Muslims for Palestine is a national, grassroots organization based in Palos Hills, IL. It’s mission is to educate the public about issues related to Palestine and its rich cultural and historical heritage. For more information, go to www.ampalestine.org or contact Media Director Kristin Szremski at 708.717.4180.
