As the Mideast Solidarity Project (MSP) enters into its seventh year, the overarching purpose of the festival remains the same: to create space for marginalized and oppressed peoples of the Middle East, and surrounding regions, to self-represent and to strengthen our solidarity with them in their struggles.

The schedule can be found here 

This is more relevant than ever in the present historical moment. Last March marked the 7th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq, while the occupation of Afghanistan has entered into its 9th year and is spreading into Pakistan. Palestinians mourned the 62nd anniversary of the Nakba (catastrophe) this April as billions of US dollars continue to support the Israeli occupation of their homeland. Meanwhile, Gaza is still reeling from Israel's assault last year and the on-going siege.

These superficial facts fail to represent the humanity of the occupied peoples and the realities of occupation in their everyday lives. And it is these people who tell their stories in the films, challenging the mainstream Orientalist discourse that has dehumanized them, rewritten their histories, and provided a rationale for continued occupation.

Film and speaker topics this year include occupation and resistance in Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan; labor rights; LGBTQ identity and struggle in Iran; immigration and the Diaspora; Iranian cinema after the '79 revolution; anti-Arab racism in the US and Israel; deconstructing stereotypes of Muslim women; US war resisters; the distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism; and more.

All screenings are FREE of charge and open to the public.

Tattooed Under Fire is a unique, character-driven portrait of Iraq-bound and returning US soldiers as they go under the tattoo needle: openly professing their pride, sharing their secrets and confessing their fears. The tattoos cross lines of gender, class, and political affinity revealing the inner lives of young men and women as they live through the horrors of the Iraq war. The film will be shown at The Evergreen State College, Lecture Hall 1 on May 7 at 3:30 pm. The film showing will be followed by conversation with Director Nancy Schiesari. Watch the trailer: Tattooed Under Fire Admission to this event is free. Parking is $2.00. The Evergreen State College is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway, NW, Olympia, WA 98505. Directions to campus are available here: http://www.evergreen.edu/tour/gethere.htm The event is presented in conjunction with two other events at Evergreen. On May 6 at 8 pm in Lecture Hall 3, Evergreen welcomes internationally renowned expert Edward Tick for a free, public presentation War and the Soul: Transforming Our Communities to Heal Our Veterans. The college is also hosting a Veterans Summit for higher education professionals working with veterans and military communities. More information on the conference for higher education professionals and the public events is available at www.evergreen.edu. Tattooed Under Fire is sponsored by The Evergreen State College Student Veterans Organization and Evergreen’s President’s Diversity Fund. Additional sponsors for the related Veterans Summit include: The Evergreen State College Student Veterans Organization, Glidden Paint, NASPA Region V, The Evergreen State College President's Diversity Fund, Regional Education and Training Center, and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. About Nancy Schiesari:

Free, public event takes place at 8 pm on May 6 at The Evergreen State College, Lecture Hall 3 Dr. Edward Tick will discuss the importance of restoring the necessary, proper and reciprocal relationship between society and its warriors. He will describe how warriors willingly go into harm’s way in order to protect the rest of us and our responsibilities in regard to their return, recovery and restoration to full functioning and life. Dr. Tick will also offer strategies on how communities can provide what our veterans need in order to restore the broken relationship between our society and its warriors and begin to address the incalculable losses that result from war. Admission to this event is free. Parking is $2.00. The Evergreen State College is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway, NW, Olympia, WA 98505. Directions to campus are available here: http://www.evergreen.edu/tour/gethere.htm The event is presented in conjunction with two other events at Evergreen, a public showing of "Tattooed Under Fire" with Director Nancy Schiesari, on May 7, at 3:30 p.m. at The Evergreen State College, Lecture Hall 1. The college is also hosting a Veterans Summit for higher education professionals working with veterans and military communities on May 6 and May 7. More information on the conference for higher education professionals and the public events is available at www.evergreen.edu. The Evergreen State College wants to acknowledge the generous sponsors of the Veterans Summit: The Evergreen State College Student Veterans Organization, Glidden Paint, NASPA Region V, The Evergreen State College President's Diversity Fund, Squaxin Island Tribe, Regional Education and Training Center, and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. About Edward Tick

Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers
Saturday night at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in downtown Olympia)
Program begins at 6:30 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEukg9T9S2E

more information:

Tickets: OFS members $5, General $8, Youth $3
(360) 754-6670 www.olympiafilmsociety.org
Benefit for Youth Peace Volunteers of Afghanistan

You can watch Youth Peace Volunteer videos at Our Journey to Smile.

You can watch a related Olympia FOR’s TV program from anywhere on the world at olympiafellowshipofreconciliation.blip.tv. Search past episodes for Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers.

This event is a project of the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation with help from the Olympia Film Society.

On Thursday March 25, from 5 to 7 pm, (Joseph) Dana Visali will be at the Olympia Timberland Regional Library (313 8th Ave. SE Olympia, WA) to present information about Afghanistan, including from recent travel to Afghanistan earlier this month. This will be a power point presentation

Dana has been traveling in Afghanistan with the San Francisco based Global Exchange, and is scheduled to begin returning today (March 15.) The focus of the trip was to study the impact of the war on women and children in Afghanistan, and to also look at the impact of 30 years of war on the environment.

Other topics in the presentation will include how war effects possibility of transitioning to a sustainable society.

Even if you can't be there by 5 pm, please show up for what is likely to be a very informative, interesting and engaging presentation!

The event is free. And Dana will graciously accept donations in order to defray the costs of travel.

for more information, (360) 259-4291

Sponsored by The Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation.

Why isn't this story broadly featured in the mainstream US media?!

If you care about humanity, please watch this story:

“America’s Secret Afghan Prisons”: Investigation Unearths New US Torture Site, Abuse Allegations in Afghanistan

-berd

Monday, October 26, 2009
Percival Landing
Mike and Doug Stand for Peace with Afghan Youth

There is a local effort underway to draw attention to the work of young people in Afghanistan, who have set-up an ongoing vigil to call on President Obama to recognize their need for peace.

I believe that people need peace to be truly and fully healthy. So I am supporting the work of these young people in their quest for peace, truth and reconciliation.

For more information about the Afghanistan Youth Vigil for Peace, please visit:
Our Journey to Smile.

Local organizers would like to maintain a constant presence in solidarity alongside the people of Afghanistan. There is much need for support to staff the vigil. If you want more information, or to schedule time to staff the vigil, please contact Doug Mackey at (360) 485-3764, or douglas.mackey@iraqmemorialtolife.org

The Afghan faces of peace keeping vigil for President Obama

A world without war is possible!

Come hear a representative of RAWA (The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan)

Two events on Tuesday, October 27

At noon:
The Evergreen State College
SEM II E1107

7 PM:
Traditions Fair Trade
300 5th Ave SW, downtown

Among the many excuses for the US war in Afghanistan is that the US is saving the Afghan women. But what do Afghan women have to say about this?

The most outspoken Afghan women's organization is RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan. For over 30 years, RAWA has struggled against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the fundamentalism of both the Taliban and the Northern Alliance, and the US occupation of Afghanistan.

Now members of RAWA are touring the US to tell you their story.

Olympia will soon be visited by Zoya (not her real name). At 28 years old, Zoya has been involved with RAWA for half her life. Her parents were killed when she was 14. Zoya has traveled across the world speaking about her experiences and the work of RAWA. She is also the author of Zoya’s Story: An Afghan Woman’s Battle for Freedom.