No Forum Friday, Dec. 27th - ICUJP wishes you a wonderful holiday

painting: John August Swanson, "Storm"

Storms make trees take deeper roots. -- Dolly Parton

There is a reason that the English language takes so many phrases from the vocabulary of sailors – the crew would have to relay precise orders in an efficient manner, and as the ships came to port the words and expressions would find their way into the streets and homes on the mainland.

When we say it is time to "batten down the hatches", it communicates so much in so short a turn of phrase - we all must be aware of and be prepared for the dark clouds ahead, we all must work together, and most importantly, if we all do our jobs, there will be clear skies on the other side of the storm.

In a year full of dark skies, bad weather, and short but rejuvenating passages of calm, ICUJP hopes that your holiday will be full of love and light, that your friends and family have a joyous and peaceful gathering, and that all of us are rested up for the work and struggle ahead.

We also hope that you will be able to rejoin us on Friday, January 2nd for a forum presented by Friends of Sabeel North America, and please join us on Sunday, January 11th, as we commemorate the anniversary of another year that the shameful Guantanamo Prison is still operating and still holding prisoners illegally.

Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace recognizes the Gabrieliño Tongva as the past, present, and future caretakers of the land, water, and cultural resources in the unceded territory of Los Angeles.

Join us for our annual Close Guantanamo NOW Vigil - fighting 24 years of injustice

Join us in-person:

Sunday, January 11th, 2026
Wilshire/Westwood Federal Building,
11000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
12:00 - 1:30 pm Pacific Time

RSVP HERE!

Speakers:

• Khalid Hudson, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
• Michael Rapkin, Guantanamo Bar
• Destiny Rivera, LA Hands Off Cuba Committee
• Rebecca Husaini, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
• Jim Lafferty, National Lawyers Guild
• Mohammad Tajsar, ACLU of Southern California
• Rachel Bruhnke, Code Pink
• Shane Que Hee, Out Against War
• Louis Watanabe, Manzanar Committee
  
• Jon Krampner, Moderator - ICUJP

      more speakers to be announced!

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Give the gift of Justice and Peace for the holidays!

Next year, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace will be commemorating 25 years of advocacy for the disenfranchised and abused at home and around the world. In the aftermath of September 11th 2001, Los Angeles religious and secular leaders and activists came together to seek an alternative to the fearmongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation. ICUJP declared that  “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.”

We have endured and spread our message through very trying times - five Presidents, four California Governors, and numerous crises and challenges that would shake the resolve of even the most devout and dedicated group of activists. But through it all, we have held true to our mission to be the voice for "the least of these", and to our determination to create the change we want to see in the world, no matter how daunting the opposition can seem.

Like many nonprofits, the economy, the aftereffects of the Covid pandemic, and the constant attacks on Progressive organizations by this administration have affected our fundraising. Only a small percentage of the people who attend our Zoom forums, go to our events, or receive the information on our website and social media donate to ICUJP.  

We would be honored if you can donate $25, $50, $100 (or more) to help us keep up with the increasing costs of securing live venues, renting audio and video equipment, printing valuable information for live events, and bringing our social media tools up to date.

We have a couple of ways for you to support our work:

You can go to the ICUJP donation page on our website to make a one-time donation, or spread your donation out monthly.

You can also visit our ICUJP Threadless Store where you can make a purchase and wear your support for our organization, or give the gift of a tote bag, a mug, or a cute little onesie so your grandkids can be fashionable!

If you make a donation using either of these options, we will also send you a personalized ICUJP membership card for yourself or as a gift to print out:

ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for 25 years through the generosity of individuals like yourselves and organizations such as yours.

Thank you for your ongoing support – we are honoured to be standing shoulder to shoulder with you in the struggle for universal Justice and Peace.

RESOURCES FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF A PEOPLE UNDER SEIGE

ICUJP Condemns the actions of the current administration to foment unrest in Southern California and other parts of the US. We hope you will find the following information useful in keeping involved and safe.

RSVP Here

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BREU Video

BREU (DARKNESS) - NEW SINGLE ABOUT THE HORRORS IN GAZA - MUSIC BY CHICO CÉSAR WITH LYRICS BY CHICO CÉSAR, FABIO PINCZOWSKI, ORAN ETKIN, NOGA RITTER

In a gesture of empathy toward the thousands who have lost their lives or their families in Gaza — as well as the many humanitarian teams who have tried to bring dignity and hope — Chico César and a group of musicians of Jewish heritage, Noga Ritter, Oran Etkin, Luísa Maita, Benjamim, Fábio Pinczowski, Gabriel Levy, and Paulo Rapoport, are releasing the song BREU. The track features the participation of Rivo, a musician who lives in Gaza.

Combining Portuguese, English, Arabic and Hebrew, the song is a cry of protest against violence, capturing the pain and anger of a wounded community. The artists raise their voices against injustice — not only in Gaza, but anywhere in the world. BREU is a reminder of how music can be a powerful tool for protest and social change.

Rivo is an artist based in Gaza who has been collaborating with Etkin for over a year, sending his music via audio messages on WhatsApp while fleeing the bombings. The video includes a QR code at the end to donate to Rivo and his community. We hope to eventually expand this model of collaboration with Gaza artists, giving them a platform for their voice to be heard while also providing crucial funds directly to the Palestinian artists in a time of need.

Support Rivo and his efforts in Gaza here.