More than 40 Palestinians from 10 cities across the United States met in Chicago, IL on September 26, 2009 for the first major USPCN convening since the Popular Conference in 2008 and several national events in 2009 including the Hanien tour, Bishop Attallah Hanna’s visit and our participation in the Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza. Grounded in our attachment to Palestine and justice for all Palestinians, USPCN members and participants reaffirmed our commitment to continue the work of USPCN as a networking body giving a voice and representation to Palestinians in the United States.
Given the current lack of responsible and accountable Palestinian leadership and its absolute complicity to U.S. and Israeli demands violating International law on the ground today, participants voiced the critical need for a democratically elected Palestinian body in Palestine and the Diaspora, including the US. Mahmud Abbas and the PA must be held accountable for their disastrous policies, including the decision to withdraw PA support for the Goldstone Report at the UN Human Rights Council. The Palestinian “government’s” failure to challenge Israel’s policies towards Gaza, the Aqsa Mosque, and Palestinian prisoners testifies to its utter impotence. Furthermore, Abbas, Fayyad and their inner circle bear complete responsibility for undermining, at the behest of the US and Israel, Palestinian calls for unification.
USPCN upholds and supports all attempts to reach Palestinian national unity as a primary step to defend our national rights as a people. We ask all factions, especially Fateh and Hamas, to make unity against plans to liquidate the Palestinian struggle a top priority, and to remain committed to the principles that unite Palestinians inside Palestine and in exile, namely the right of return, right to self determination, and the end of the colonization and occupation of Palestine.
Steadfast in our commitment to the principles of liberation and return, the meeting in Chicago was productive, with several critical decisions made and projects initiated.
These decisions and projects are as follows:
USPCN Structure
1. Reviewed and affirmed New York Meeting summary: “We continue working as a network among different individuals and organization, establishing new contacts and local chapters; and the CC (Coordinating Committee) will be the primary resource for coordination”.
2. Adopted a structure for the USPCN body.
3. Formed and elected a new National Coordinating Committee of 19 members, 16 were elected from their local communities and 3 special skills members are yet to be determined.
USPCN Projects
1. Participation in the United States Social Forum (USSF) in 2010.
2. Sponsoring youth camps in the Eastern and Western regions of the U.S. followed by a national youth delegation to Palestine.
3. Convening a second Popular Conference to take place in 2010.
USPCN Committees
1. Establishing the Jerusalem Committee: connecting Palestinians in the US to national figures in Palestine (Mosques, churches and social justice groups) to protect Jerusalem from the continuous Israeli attacks and land confiscations.
2. Resisting visa restrictions on Palestinians: campaign to lift restrictions on Palestinian U.S. citizens’ visas to visit Jerusalem and other parts of Palestine
3. Sister City projects: supporting local family sponsorship programs and encouraging programs that aim at twinning US and Palestinian cities and towns.
4. Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS): supporting the BDS movement by providing outreach and networking assistance when possible in all cities where the USPCN has local committees.
5. Securing scholarships for Palestinian refugees to attend universities inside Palestine.
6. Breaking the Siege on Gaza: assist, participate and sponsor solidarity attempts to help lift the siege on Gaza.
USPCN Next Planning Meeting
The participants agreed to hold their next planning meeting in the city of San Francisco on December 11-12, 2009.
For more information or to get involved with the USPCN, please email [email protected]
