Wednesday, July 05, 2006


Lest we forget: vigil Women in Black

Every first Friday of the month the Women in Black gather at the Spui, Amsterdam, to protest the Israeli invasion in Palestinian territorities, land confiscations, the starving of civilians and so on. Yes, that means, THIS Friday.
Given the increased tensions of the past few weeks regarding the kidnapped Israeli soldier and Israel’s following, almost traditional, collective punishment, your presence is very much required. Many organisations and representatives of political parties have already agreed to be there.

Friday 7 July 2006

As of 12:45 hrs at the Spui in Amsterdam (near 't Lieverdje)

Dresscode: black !

For more information on the Women in Black vigil this Friday or for possible interviews, please contact Lily van den Bergh:

tel: 020 - 62 23 661
fax: 020 - 62 75 090
email:
info@vrouweninhetzwart.nl



Background info on the Women in Black

The international movement of Women in Black began in January 1988, one month after the first Palestinian Intifada (uprising) broke out, as a small group of Israeli women carried out a simple form of protest: Once a week at the same hour and in the same location – a major traffic intersection – they donned black clothing and raised a black sign in the shape of a hand with white lettering that read “Stop the Occupation”. Within months, by word of mouth, women throughout Israel had heard of this protest, and launched dozens of vigils.

So began the 17-year history of the Women in Black movement, as it spread spontaneously from country to country, wherever women sought to speak out against violence and injustice in their own part of the world. In Italy, Women in Black protest a range of issues, from the Israeli occupation to the violence of organized crime. In Germany, Women in Black protest neo-Nazism, racism against guest workers, and nuclear arms. In India, Women in Black hold vigils that call for an end to the ill treatment of women by religious fundamentalists. And during the war in the Balkans, Women in Black in Belgrade set a profound example of interethnic cooperation that was an inspiration to their countrywomen and men.

The movement of Women in Black has empowered women and men in many countries to mobilize for peace. It is an international movement, so that the voice of conscience in one region now echoes and reverberates throughout the world. And it provides a worldwide support system for victims of oppression, exposing their injustice to the light of day and the pressure of world opinion. The movement of Women in Black assumes many forms in many countries, but one thing is common to all: an uncompromising commitment to justice and a world free of violence.

The international movement of Women in Black was honored with the Millennium Peace Prize for Women, awarded by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in 2001. The international movement, represented by the Israeli and the Serbian groups, was also a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. Israeli Women in Black won the Aachen Peace Prize (1991); the peace award of the city of San Giovanni d'Asso in Italy (1994); and the Jewish Peace Fellowship’s “Peacemaker Award” (2001).