International Solidarity Movement
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Freedom Summer: 2002

Idea:

Fifty-four (54) days of non-violent, direct actions by Palestinians and Internationals to promote freedom and justice for Palestine - one day to symbolize each year that Palestinians have lived under occupation.

- This project will:

1. Coordinate in numerous areas throughout the West Bank and Gaza.

2. Coordinate with public awareness, media and promotional work.

3. Document and report daily, with press conferences held as necessary.

4. Include local training by internationals for Palestinians in using technology to promote and document their struggle, and includes the donation of tools (cameras, computers) to local areas for such purposes.

5. Develop international support through lobbying, educational and public awareness campaigns in US and Europe.

Freedom summer is based on the notion that International Civilians are a resource for Palestinians in their struggle against occupation and for freedom and justice. As such, teams of International Civilians will be stationed for the entire period of Freedom Summer in various regions (Nablus, Salfit, Ramallah, Jerusalem, Bethlehem/Beit Jala/Beit Sahour, Hebron, Gaza and Rafah). They will be hosted by Palestinians and will work with local community leadership to protest and take direct action against occupation forces. They will also document and report on their actions and the various criminal actions of the Israeli occupation forces - incursions, home demolitions, arrests, etc.

At the local level, Palestinians will organize, train and coordinate a summer program of activities and actions to involve all elements of Palestinian society. Obviously not everyone is comfortable taking the same risks or participating in direct confrontations with soldiers, police and settlers. As such, local committees will determine various roles and levels of participation for all, so that there is "something for everyone."

Freedom summer is a mobilization of the Palestinian people for justice, for rights and for freedom. Like the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, India's National Liberation Movement and the Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa, Freedom Summer will utilize nonviolent direct action strategies and tactics to overcome oppression. This is not a cause of Palestinian against Israeli or Arab against Jew - rather it is a cause of humanity against injustice, against oppression and for freedom.