Please join us online

ICUJP Friday Forum
April 26th, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific  

I Am Gitmo: A Film About the World's Most Notorious Prison

Event Description:

22 years after its opening, the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center stands as a stark symbol of America's descent into post-9/11 lawlessness. "I Am Gitmo," a feature film about it, opens in Los Angeles on May 3. Director Philippe Diaz and Producer Beth Portello join us to discuss this film, why they made it and the prospects for closing Guantanamo.

Join the conversation with our speaker:

Philippe Diaz is known for directing documentaries “The End of Poverty?” (Invited to over 41 film festivals including official selection at Cannes Critics’ Week), “The Empire In Africa,” (official selection at Cannes Critics’ Week, Best Documentary awards at SlamDance, African Film Festival Montreal and Hollywood Film Festival) and the narrative feature “Now & Later.”

He has produced over 25 films and was awarded the Louis Delluc, France’s top award, in 1986 for “Mauvais Sang'' which was nominated for 3 Césars. In 2004, he created Cinema Libre Studio, to provide an alternative structure for intelligent, indie films to get developed, financed, produced and distributed.

Beth Portello is a co-founder of Cinema Libre Studio and has shepherded the release of over 200 films since 2003 including films such as "Outfoxed," "Fuel," "Uncovered: the War On Iraq," and many others that have contributed to the growth of documentaries. She is the producer of "I Am Gitmo," "The End of Poverty?" and " Now & Later" and an Executive Producer of "Don't Look Away," a documentary that recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

7:30 - 7:35  Log in and socialize
7:35 - 7:45  Welcome and introductions 
7:45 - 7:50  Reflection (5 min. maximum)
7:50 - 9:15  Program and Q&A
9:15 - 9:20  Announcements
9:20 - 9:30  Closing circle and prayer

Start your morning with us! 

Facilitator: Rececca Arvizu
Reflector: Carolfrances Likins

Here's how to join the online meeting:

To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.

If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. 

If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.

ICUJP Friday Forum 04/26/24
Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

(To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.)

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Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.

DONATE HERE!

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LOVE FOR PALESTINE ACTION PAGE

Here are links to resources and sample templates for you to contact elected officials and corporations:

Contact your congressional representatives and call for a cease fire (AFSC):

https://afsc.org/action/call-cease-fire-and-humanitarian-access-gaza-now 

Before you dial: Check to see if your Senators and Representative have already called for a ceasefire using the tracker JVP Action has built in collaboration with the Working Families Party.

https://workingfamilies.org/ceasefire-tracker/ 

 

Find your elected officials here:

https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

 

Demands (options):

• Permanent ceasefire
• Release of hostages
• Release of mass imprisonment of Palestininans
• Stop genocide
• Stop witholding of food, water, medicine
• Stop funding genocide and supplying bombs
• Support/facilitate a just and equitable peace
• End the Occupation

Sample script:

My name is [YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME], I'm a [CONSTITUENT / SUPPORTER] of [SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE NAME], and I’m calling/writing about Palestine and Israel.

[YOUR KIND GREETING]

For Representatives: [REPRESENTATIVE NAME] must publicly call for a ceasefire, pressure Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, and vote NO on sending more weapons for this war. A “humanitarian pause” is not good enough. They should cosponsor the ceasefire resolution, House Resolution 786, introduced by Representatives Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib.

For Senators: [SENATOR NAME] must publicly call for a ceasefire, pressure Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, and vote NO on sending more weapons for this war. A “humanitarian pause” is not good enough. They should introduce a Senate Resolution calling for a ceasefire, similar to the one in the House.

I am passionate about this because…

• I have family/friends in the region and…
• I visited Palestine and witnessed firsthand how
• My faith compels me to...

While I am speaking as an individual…

• I talked to my neighbors about this and we all agree that…
• I’m a member of … and we all agree that…
• Most U.S. voters agree that the U.S. should push for a ceasefire.
• Thank you!
  

Activism resources

Jewish Voices for Peace

https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/resource/first-steps/ 

American Friends Service Committee https://afsc.org/actionhour 

Kinder USA 
https://www.kinderusa.org/about-us/ 

eSims for gaza 
https://gazaesims.com/ 

Where to Donate

UNRWA - UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the near East

https://donate.unrwa.org/-landing-page/en_EN 

Doctors Without Borders - Palestine

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/palestine 

Corporate Accountability

Letters to Corporations - AFSC https://afsc.org/BoycottChevron 

 

AFSC - How to Divest 
https://investigate.afsc.org/divest 

Scroll down to: Divestment from the Occupation Industry

https://afsc.org/companies-2023-attack-gaza                    

Local Palestinian Businesses

Jerusalem Chicken 

448 W. Slauson Avnue, Los Angeles 90043 

tacos for palestine

Instagram: lataco

Ike’s Love and Sandwiches

https://www.ikessandwich.com/

3895 Overland Avenue, Culver City 990232

460 North Pacific Highway, El Seundo 90245

4731 Glencoe Avenue Unite B-9A, Marina Del Rey 90292

Anwar Kitchen

https://www.anwarskitchen.com/menus/#specials

217 E 8th St Los Angeles, CA 90014

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ICUJP's Focus on the Israel/Palestine Conflict

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
-- Martin Luther King Jr.

I think it was smart that you’re wary of using the word “terrorism,” and if you talk about the cycle of violence, or “an eye for an eye,” you could be perpetuating the idea that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a balanced conflict, instead of a largely unarmed people against the fourth most powerful military in the world.
-- Rachel Corrie

A person can only be born in one place. However, he may die several times elsewhere: in the exiles and prisons, and in a homeland transformed by the occupation and oppression into a nightmare.
-- Mahmoud Darwish

In the words of ICUJP Convener, the late Rev. George Regas, speaking about a conflict long ago but still resonant today:

The sin at the heart of this war against Iraq is your belief that an American life is of more value than an Iraqi life. That an American child is more precious than an Iraqi baby. God loathes war.

We HAVE to call out the massacre of innocent lives, no matter the ideology behind the crime, or else the Justice and Peace work we do is meaningless.

Long before the tragic events of October 7th of last year, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace has been shining a light on the Israel/Palestine conflict, and working towards dialogue and solutions that affirm the primary calling of our organization - stating loud and clear that Religious Communities MUST Stop Blessing War and Violence. 

Justice and Peace are WORK, and ICUJP has been doing that work with our partners for over 22 years, many of them focusing on conflicts in the Middle East and their ramifications for us in this country. 

Click on the links below to watch the recent Friday Forums we have devoted to the Israel/Palestine crisis:

Friends of Sabeel, A Christian and Secular Voice for Palestine	IfNotNow - Reflections on Diverse Jewish Solidarity with Palestine
Ani Zonneveld - The Politics of Human Rights	Dov Baum - Apartheid-Free Communities in Israel, Palestine, and the U.S
Dr. Kamal Abu-Shamiseh - Reflections on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict	Marjorie Cohn - South Africa takes Israel to the World Court for Genocide in Gaza
John Parker - Detained Delivering Aid to Gaza	Steve Chase - Speaking Up for Peace with Justice
Israel and Palestine Yes, there IS a Path to Peace	Palestine Under Colonialism
George Lakey: How can we get creative in the Israel-Palestine conflict?	Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, a Multifaith Apprach to Counter Anti-Muslim Discrimination
Jeff Cooper/Carolfrances Likins: Palestine Before And After	Apartheid-Free Communities: An Interfaith Effort to Resist Racism
When teaching the truth about Israel and Palestine is challenged	Jewish Anti-Zionists Queering the Fight for a Free Palestine

Please give generously to help us in our ongoing work to open doors with dialogue and compassion, and to make change with diligence, creativity, and open hearts and minds.

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Premiering the new documentary, "Honor Bound: Close Guantanamo Now!"

Along with NRCAT (National Religious Campaign Against Torture) and director Robert Corsini, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace have put together a thirty-minute documentary outlining some of the many abuses of the prisoners at the facility, including interviews with past detainees. "Honor Bound: Close Guantanamo Now!" outlines our work in bringing to light a stain on this country that most people would like to forget, or in many cases don't even realize is still happening.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE DOCUMENTARY:
"Honor Bound: Close Guantanamo Now"

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ICUJP t-shirts and accessories now
available for purchase online!

GET YOUR T-SHIRT!!

 

LOVE FOR PALESTINE ACTION PAGE

Here are links to resources and sample templates for you to contact elected officials and corporations:

ICUJP Partners with Ten Thousand Villages This Holiday Season!



Drop into a non-profit Ten Thousand Villages shop in Pasadena or in Redondo Beach, between November 28 and December 12, immerse yourself in the amazing handiwork of women and men of the world, and buy at least one gift for someone you were shopping for. 

If you say “ICUJP” to the volunteer when you check out, 15% of your purchase will go to ICUJP!

ICUJP Fair-Trade Shopping List & Resources

ICUJP's Fair Trade Shopping List

Most Fair Trade producers are women and men who have broken out of the capitalist hold by forming worker-owned co-ops. No bosses. And in place of the profiteering middle-man, Fair Trade companies form long-term relationships with the workers, buying at a fair price, and selling to us through a non-profit store chain like Ten Thousand Villages, small shops, pop-up bazaars, websites, or in some cases major stores.

From bars of chocolate to major gifts, what we give makes a difference in the world.

Here is a list of great Fair-Trade suppliers and online merchants/stores - please consider picking up your holiday gifts from one (or more) of these great organizations.

Shops in L.A. County
https://www.tenthousandvillages.com Pasadena and Redondo Beach
https://www.fairtradelongbeach.com/
contact.html Long Beach
https://www.thelittlemarket.com Pacific Palisades
https://wuitusu.com Santa Monica and Hollywood
Members of Fair Trade L.A.
https://fairtradela.org/pages/businessmember-directory

Global
https://www.fairtradewinds.net
https://www.serrv.org
https://www.luciasworldemporium.com
https://shopnativeonline.com
https://humblehilo.com
https://www.oneworldprojects.net
https://alternativesglobalmarketplace.com
https://www.giftswithhumanity.com
https://sojournsfairtrade.com
https://www.globalgiftsft.com
https://www.market.unicefusa.org
https://stores.silkroadmkt.com
https://justgoods.org/collections/fair-trade
https://www.giftswithhumanity.com
https://www.culturalelements.com
https://www.villagescalgary.ca
https://riverfairtrade.com

Africa
https://www.swahilimodern.com
https://www.nontando.com/contact_us.php
https://oceansole.com
https://globalmamas.org
https://mifuko.com
https://www.thepeaceexchange.com
https://africanteamstore.square.site
https://www.kapula.com
https://www.kapula.com/hand-paintedceramics-designs

Middle East
https://www.shoppalestine.org http://
palestineonlinestore.com
https://handmadepalestine.com
https://equalentrance.com/

Caribbean
https://www.haitimetalart.com
Latin American
https://www.sanyorkfairtrade.com
https://upavimcrafts.org
https://www.sharingthedream.org
https://tramatextiles.org
https://buenaondagames.com
https://www.storetribu.com
https://altiplano.com

Asia
https://matrboomie.com
https://noahsarkindia.com
https://kahiniwalla.com
United States
https://www.southernhighlandguild.org
Opening Soon
https://elishac.com
https://www.facebook.com/madigner.kessab
https://www.prosperitycatalyst.org

Upcoming FTLA pop-ups

Alternative Christmas Market at American Martyrs Church
1431 Deegan Pl, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
11/19 4-7p & 11/20 8a-2p

Holiday Market with Valley Country Market
20929 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
11/26 time is TBD

Holiday Night Market with Gasolina Cafe
21150 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364,
12/3 4-9p

Holiday Market with UUCLB
5450 E Atherton St, Long Beach, CA 90815
12/4 10a - 12p

Fair Trade LA's Holiday Party 2022
Ten Thousand Villages Pasadena, 567 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Time : TBD

Holiday Market of The Good News Festival
500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108
12/10 11a-6p

Holiday Market with First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
540 S Commonwealth Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
12/11 12-1:30p

ICUJP has agreed to become the fiscal sponsor for the Jerusalem Prayer Project (JPP) and its documentary and multi-media work committed to telling stories of interfaith peace makers in Israel and Palestine.  JPP is the handiwork of longtime ICUJP board member, interfaith minister and musician Stephen Fiske, together with documentary filmmaker Robert Corsini.  

Your fully tax-deductible donations will support their work completing the pilot to their documentary series Warriors of the Heart:  Peacemakers in the Holy Land.

For more information and to contact the filmmakers directly — visit

JerusalemPrayerProject.org 

Email Us [email protected]          

Text of Call 310-706-83

Friday Forum Schedule

Description: List of upcoming Friday Forums and assigned roles for facilitator, reflector and Zoom host

Speaker Appointment Scheduler

Description: Link to online appointment scheduler for CONFIRMED ICUJP Friday Forum Speakers

Instructions to send speakers:

6. That's it for now!  ICUJP's Director of Communications will be in touch with you shortly with more information regarding your scheduled presentation. Thank you!

Speaker Outreach Tracking Sheet

Description: List to track speakers contacted to present at Friday Forums and status

Template - Speaker Outreach

Social Media Post Request Form - Partner Organization

Description: Form to be filled out by partner organization's requesting ICUJP to post on their behalf

 "Special Event" Form

Description: Form to be filled out by ICUJP members requesting promotion for a special event

Social Media Links

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9Sry8-OSkJHr94eXG3ssw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icujp_socal/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICUJP_SoCal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICUJP

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@icujp_socal?lang=en

Thank you for your interest in becoming a sponsor of ICUJP's anniversary event. The deadline to purchase sponsorships unfortunately has passed. If you would like to make a donation instead, please visit https://ICUJP20th.eventbrite.com. Thank you for your support!

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Twenty years ago, days after the devastating 9/11 attacks, the late Rev. George F. Regas brought together Christians, Jews, Muslims, Quakers, humanists and people of many other beliefs to found Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace. Acutely aware that this moment posed a dire threat to peace and justice, George knew instinctively that peacemakers needed a place to gather, organize, pray, and act together - united by the fundamental principle that Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence. 

Since its founding, ICUJP has remained true to George's vision. Meeting at over 1,000 Friday Forums, ICUJP has:

• heard speakers from all over the world
• organized mass demonstrations, vigils, and acts of civil disobedience
• presented numerous conferences and webinars
• held an annual Close Guantanamo rally
• sent many delegations to meet with elected officials
• issued statements, petitions, and policy papers on a wide range of international and domestic issues
• provided scholarships to young peace activists
• supported our allies in the cause of peace and racial and economic justice
• and provided a loving and safe home for all who are working toward a peaceful, compassionate nation and world that offer liberty, opportunity and justice for all.

Please join us in person or online to celebrate ICUJP's 20th Anniversary, honoring George's life and legacy, and recognizing our colleagues in peace and justice with the 2021 George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards! 

Pursuing Justice and Peace for
Twenty Years

ICUJP 20th Anniversary and 2021 George F. Regas
Courageous Peacemaker Awards

Saturday, September 11, 2021  •  4:00-6:00 pm PDT

In person Program and Reception and live streamed online
All Saints Episcopal Church  •  132 N. Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

With very special guests

Rev. James Lawson
Rachael Worby, Artistic Director and Creator, MUSE/IQUE

Please note that the in-person event will strictly adhere to all COVID restrictions required by the Pasadena Public Health Department and the CDC

We're delighted to honor the 2021 George F. Regas Courageous Peacemakers:

U.S. Representative Judy Chu, D-CA-27
for her ongoing commitment to justice and peace

In addition, we'll honor the following organizations for their steadfast peace and justice efforts and for serving and advocating for people impacted by the Covid pandemic:

• All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena
• Black-Jewish Justice Alliance
• Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE)
• Friends Committee on National Legislation CA Advocacy Team
• Housing Works
• ILM (Intellect, Love, Mercy) Foundation
• Immanuel Presbyterian Food Pantry
• Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
• National Religious Campaign Against Torture
• NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change
• Poor People's Campaign
• St. Mark's Lutheran Church/Sola Community Peace Center

ICUJP operates largely as a volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff.  For 20 years, we've carried out Rev. Regas's vision through the generosity of individuals and organizations like you. As with many other nonprofits, the Covid pandemic has hampered our ability to raise donations.  The annual Peacemaker Awards event is our primary fundraising activity of the year.  We're eager to sustain - and expand - our work.  We are committed to doing that with your generous help.

Please become a co-sponsor of Pursuing Justice and Peace for 20 Years. The benefits at each level of sponsorship are shown below. Please purchase a package and submit a tribute ad honoring:

• the life and legacy of Rev. Regas
• the extraordinary organizations we're recognizing
• ICUJP's 20 years of important work
• any person or organization who's partnered with ICUJP through the years
• all of these in the largest tribute ad you can afford!

Individual admission tickets to the in-person program and reception are also available for a donation of $25 or more. Please be as generous as you can to help underwrite scholarships for those who cannot afford a ticket. (To request a scholarship, based on limited availability, please email Daryn Kobata, Director of Communications and Special Events.) The live-streamed online event will be free.

**To purchase tickets or co-sponsorships by check, please make the check out to Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace. In the memo line, please note "9/11 ticket" or "9/11 co-sponsorship." Mail to: Rod Sprott, c/o Church-Biz, 1125 N. Fairfax Avenue #46836, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Be sure to to confirm your purchase details with Daryn Kobata by email or at 213.373.4006.

Thanks very much for your generous support! A portion of your donation or co-sponsorship is tax deductible as allowable by law. If you have questions about co-sponsorships or admission tickets, please email Daryn Kobata.

Again, thank you so much for your support and for all you do in pursuit of justice and peace.We look forward to seeing you on September 11. 

On behalf of the ICUJP Board of Directors,

Stephen Rohde
Chair

Grace Dyrness 
Vice Chair

If you have resources to suggest, please email us.

LA District Attorney George Gascón's First 100 Days in Office report:

https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/district-attorney-george-gascon-outlines-reforms-made-during-first-100-days-office-promises-more

Sign Black Lives Matters' open letter to support DA Gascon's progressive justice reforms:

tinyurl.com/StandWithGeorge

Learn about and expose those who have killed Black people and others of color with impunity:

https://www.prosecutekillercops.org

Sign Dr. Melina Abdullah's petition to fire LAPD Chief Michel Moore for his longstanding pattern of abuse and failed leadership:

https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/fire-lapd-chief-michel-moore

Join Black Lives Matter LA and others to end police associations:

Every Wednesday, 3:00 pm – Fund Services, Not Police!
#EndPoliceAssociations at 1313 W. 8th St., Los Angeles

We’re taking down the police associations that function as organized crime, enabling killer cops, bullying and bribing elected officials, and criminalizing our people. Gather in front of the ACLU building directly across the street from the headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Protective League. Bring your drums, bodies, spirits and dedication.

Learn about SB 300 (Cortese), the Sentencing Reform Act of 2021:
This bill will end the injustice of people being sentenced to death or LWOP even if they did not kill anyone nor intend for anyone to die. It will allow resentencing for those now sentenced to death or LWOP as accomplices in a felony murder. It also restores power to judges to dismiss any special circumstance. Organizational letters of support are due March 30 on the legislative portal for this bill's hearing, set for April 6.

Fact Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W9_WBMm2kZWQkurgFyVx6oFCZQ5hpQL7/view

Learn about AB 256 (Kalra), the California Racial Justice Act for All:
Remember how we passed the Racial Justice Act last year but it’s prospective only? This bill will make it retroactive, allowing people on death row and serving LWOP (and anyone else) to challenge racial bias in their case. This bill is set for hearing on March 23. It is too late to be listed in support in the official analysis but you can send a letter now to be listed for the next committee.  

Fact Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uEUU9NBWxPutfh8s1wzW5dKgWjzQqSHJ/view

Email your Los Angeles city councilmember to demand that money reallocated from the LAPD budget - a result of #BlackLivesMatter protests - go to Black organizations to benefit Black communities:
https://www.lacity.org/government/popular-information/elected-officials/city-council 

Toolkit to learn more about and have a voice in the LA city budget:
https://peoplesbudgetla.com/toolkit/

Learn more about the campaign to drop LWOP (life without parole) for the 5,100 people currently serving these "living death sentences":

Kelly Savage-Rodriguez, DROP LWOP: [email protected]

[email protected]

https://droplwop.com

Join an ICUJP working group to end systemic racism:

Fernando Fernando, [email protected]

Join the Campaign to Preserve Democracy & Accountability at Pacifica Radio:

https://pacificafightback.org

Subscribe to ICUJP's email list for weekly Friday Forum and special event announcements:

https://www.icujp.org/join

Donate to ICUJP to support more programs like this one:

https://www.icujp.org/donations