Remembering Rachel
On Saturday, March 16th, Olympia will mark the 10th anniversary of Rachel’s stand in Gaza. It has been an extraordinary and challenging journey for the Rachel Corrie Foundation, for the Corrie family, and for those in our community and beyond who have worked tirelessly for justice and peace in Palestine/Israel, in the world, and here at home.
In this month’s launch of a special year-long Peace Works effort, we will feature multiple special events and a remarkable March 16th day of action, reflection, and celebration. We will focus on how Rachel has touched our community and the world; on all that has been accomplished these past ten years through our local, regional, national, and international peace-building; and on inspiring the work to come.
Please join us at these March events!Saturday, March 16th – Rachel Corrie – 10 YearsSylvester Park & The Olympia Ballroom (116 Legion Way SW, downtown Olympia) – expect a dynamic day of social action, speakers, music, dance, food, reflection, remembrance, and community! 1 pm – Rally at Sylvester Park: Ten years is enough! Challenge U.S. aid to Israel and the lack of accountability for how those resources are used2:30 – 9pm – Olympia Ballroom – Keynote Speakers: Phyllis Bennis and Ramzy Baroud – 10 YearsMusic and Dance- Batiste Dabke, House of Tarab, David Rovics, and more!
Community Potluck (5:00-7:00 pm) – an Olympia tradition
Remembrances – from Cindy and Craig Corrie and others
Interactive Displays- A visual feast reflecting Rachel Corrie – the writer, artist, and activist, and the continuing struggle; ten years for the Rachel Corrie Foundation; ten years for our community’s work on Israel/Palestine; and ten-years of local peace-building
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Censorship Reloaded
San Diego police may follow other agencies by ending media credentials as the spread of bloggers and online publications make it more difficult to define who is a journalist. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security stopped issuing credentials last month and the Orange County Sheriff's Department in Southern California did so in December.
At stake for journalists is whether they can cover certain stories. At stake for the general public is who delivers their news.
One scenario is that authorities don't allow anyone behind police tape, said Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association. Another possibility is that bloggers with large followings and high professional standards are shut out.
Three online writers sued in 2008 for being denied New York City Police Department press credentials, saying they deserved equal access. One said he was unable to cover the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory parade and Times Square New Years' Eve festivities, while another said he couldn't attend the mayor's news conferences. The lawsuit was settled after the city agreed to ease its criteria to include online-only publications.
Even before the boom in online journalism, some agencies had second thoughts. The California Highway Patrol stopped issuing credentials about a decade ago because the job was too-time consuming and some abused them for backstage concert passes and other perks, said spokeswoman Fran Clader. The CHP now accepts any press identification, even a company business card.
- KBOO