In 2002 SESAME, Students Educating Students About the Middle East, was created by students returning from Palestine after volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and in response the looming threat of war on Iraq. Rachel Corrie's death and the beginning of the occupation of Iraq occurred within days of each other. Since then SESAME has expanded to include solidarity, advocacy, education and action on issues surrounding racism, human rights and foreign policy.

The 5th Annual Middle East Film Festival
Jan30 to Feb12, 2008
The Evergreen State College

Films about the Middle East, surrounding regions and the diaspora with guest speakers - film makers, veterans, political prisoners and artists. Topics include War and Resistance, Racial Profiling, Solidarity, Art, Refugees, and Identity.

Keep a look out for upcoming festival schedule available soon at www.evergreen.edu/sesame

Briana Waters' trial begins on Monday, February 11, 2008. Please be at the court at 9am. Dress and act respectful of the court. 1717 Pacific Ave, Tacoma. Judge Burgess starts on time.

The trial is expected to go for a month, Monday thru Friday 9am -4pm.

Briana Waters asks that there be NO rally or signs outside or inside of the courtroom. Our presence will be the support she needs. Please come dressed and leave the wacky at home. Anyone concerned with civil liberties should pay attention to this case.

Briana Waters has been indicted in the arson at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture, specifically for the alleged role as a lookout. Ms. Waters maintains her innocence and pleads not guilty. Briana Waters is facing a mandatory minimum of 35 years.

The case is built on the word of two informants, Jen Kolar and Lacey Phillabaum. Although, Ms. Waters attorneys, Robert Bloom and Neil Fox, filed a motion that the government concealed important information and created a fraudulent FBI report. The Judge Burgess has denied the motion in January. The Judge Burgess closed the pretrial, which is our fundamental right to an open and clear process in public court.

Now is the time that we must show up in the court room to support the transparency of our judicial system. It is more than our civil liberties at stake in this precedent setting case. We have seen more and more of our civil rights taken away and it is important for us to stand and bear witness to this trial.

Carpools are encouraged from Seattle.

Olympia Carpools leave daily from the Grocery Outlet Westside parking lot at 7:30 AM.

More information:
Support Briana Website
Olympia Civil Liberties Resource