A Tribute To Rachel Corrie, And A Call To Action On The Anniversary Of Her Death

on Tuesday, 16 March 2010.

Posted by AWR fan Fadia Husseini

Remembering an amazing young woman, Rachel Corrie, who had an accute sense of justice and was a citizen of this world.

Rachel (April 10, 1979 – March16, 2003) was an American member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a group that adhered to non-violent methods o fprotesting against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

In 2003, while on a trip to the Gaza Strip, she was crushed to death under a Caterpillar D9R armored bulldozer operated by the Israe lDefense Forces (IDF) during a protest against the destruction of Palestinian homes by the IDF in the Gaza Strip on March 16th, 2003.

Rachel had not yet turned 24 when she was killed. She remains in our hearts to this day.

Here's an interview with Rachel Corrie, two days before her death:

Susan notes: two days ago, on the seventh anniversary of Rachel's death, I got an email from Cindy Corrie, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace. This is what the email said:

Dear Susan,

This month, a civil lawsuit in Israel in the case of our daughter Rachel Corrie will converge with the seven-year anniversary of her killing in Gaza.

A human rights observer and activist, Rachel, 23, was crushed to death by an Israel Defense Force (IDF) Caterpillar D9R bulldozer as she tried nonviolently to offer protection for a Palestinian family whose home was threatened with demolition. This lawsuit is one piece of our family's seven-year effort to pursue accountability for Rachel while, also, challenging the Occupation that claimed her life.  

On this day, when Rachel's presence is powerful for many of us, we're asking all of our friends to support Rachel's vision of freedom for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip by participating in what we are calling the International Day of Conscience. Please join her struggle by calling the White House today - this link has all the information you need:

https://tinyurl.com/Corrie4Gaza  

Seven years later, Rachel's memory is still vibrant. I'm writing to you from Israel where we are plaintiffs in a civil case against the state of Israel for its responsibility in her death. In addition to seeking accountability through the Israeli court system, we're asking all of our friends to support Rachel's vision of freedom for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip by participating in a national call-in day to the White House.

I hope I can count on you to:

Call the White House at 202-456-1111

Urge Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell to visit Gaza and demand that the United States break the blockade of Gaza by providing immediate humanitarian aid and building materials.

Tell us about your call. Tracking your calls makes a difference.