UPDATE: Delegatation Return Event scheduled for 12:45 pm at the baggage claim level of Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Monday, June 24, 2002. Please join friends, family, and other supporters in welcoming the delegates back upon their return. Members of the press are invited to come and ask questions of the delegates at this return event press conference.
The delegation has received generous emotional and financial support from the Austin community. The local office of the American Friends Service Committee supported the work of Patrice Mallard in organizing the delegation.
Members of Austin's Jewish community held a Shabbat Dinner on a Friday night in May to support the Women of Color delegation to Palestine. Virginia Raymond, Tom Kolker, and their family organized the evening, which was co-hosted by a number of other Jewish Austinites. Traditional elements of the Jewish Sabbath ritual were observed, such as sharing challah bread, lighting Shabbat candles, drinking wine, saying blessings and singing songs. Those present shared their hopes and wishes for the trip with the delegates, who in turn spoke of what they hoped to accomplish by traveling to the Middle East. A diverse group of more than 50 people ate together, danced together, and talked together in Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, French, and English. Over $900.00 was raised through this event.
Hundreds more were raised at Poets for Liberation, an event organized by delegate Carole Metellus. Another delegate, Dr. Joni Jones, served as M.C. for the night, and Austin area writers Sharon Bridgforth, Susan Bright, Rajasvini Bhansali, Muna Hamzeh, Jennifer Margulies, and Carole Metellus read their work. The excellent food was donated by Marakesh Cafe and Grill.
From San Antonio, the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center is supporting a special project called Tatreez (The Needlework Project). The five delegates from Austin's Women of Color delegation have established Tatreez to purchase textiles and other artwork from Palestinian women living in refugee camps, as a small but tangible and ongoing means of supporting women and families living under siege. The Esperanza Center is accepting tax-deductible donations for the purchase of materials and is providing a sales and exhibit outlet for the artwork upon the delegation's return.
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