[pjw] Info: Five people to speak to City Council about divesting from occupation

[Peace and Justice Works]

Hi PJW supporters
The Iraq Affinity Group has weighed in on and been following the efforts 
by Occupation Free Portland to have the City divest from funds that 
support the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands (an occupation which 
has been condemned by the UN repeatedly since 1967).

Below is information about five people who are signed up to testify during 
"Communications" slots next Wednesday, January 10 at 9:30 AM. The Council 
Agenda currently lists the first speaker as speaking about the "Bureau of 
Development Services" because she wrote her topic as "BDS" (Boycott, 
Divestment and Sanctions) and the City misinterpreted the acronym. They're 
going to be talking about proposed national legislation to outlaw the BDS 
movement. The local divestment campaign had a pyrrhic victory last year 
when Council decided to stop all investments (not just ones supporting 
human rights violations); that decision will be coming back up before 
Council in a few months.

On a different note, I will be at the PPRC Friday Rally tonight (5 PM, SW 
Corner of Pioneer Courthouse Square at SW Yamhill / Broadway) to give out 
leaflets promoting next week's visibility action.
dan h
peace and justice works iraq affinity group

  ---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2017 11:27:41
From: Carol Landsman


Please attend the City Council's Jan. 10 session at 9:30 am (time certain) 
when members of Occupation-Free Portland will use the five communication 
slots to testify against the Israel Anti-Boycott Act. This draconian, 
anti-democratic legislation would actually criminalize participation in 
boycotts of Israel or Israel's illegal settlements called by 
"international governmental organizations," such as the United Nations 
Human Rights Council. Occupation-Free Portland will be asking the City 
Council to pass a resolution opposing the Israel Anti-Boycott Act or at 
least send a letter to the Oregon congressional delegation opposing the 
bill. So far Senator Merkley and Representatives Blumenauer and DeFazio 
publicly oppose this legislation which was drafted by the American Israel 
Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). OFP is urging community attendance and 
will be passing out signs for people to hold during the testimony, such as 
"Free Speech" and "Right to Boycott."