UFPPC's popular salon series will resume on Sun. afternoon, Nov. 20, in North Tacoma, with music, snacks & drinks, and a report from three participants from last summer's attempt to break the blockade of Gaza by sailing "The Audacity of Hope" from Greece to Gaza. -- Kit Kittredge of Quilcene, WA (who was also aboard the "Saoirse" on Nov. 4), Megan Horan of Seattle, WA, and Richard Lopez of Olympia, WA, will share stories and answer questions. -- This event is also a joint fundraiser for UFPPC and US2Gaza Flotilla; tickets are $15 (no one will be turned away for lack of funds). -- Space may be limited, so see below for tickets.[1] ...
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WHAT: "U.S. to Gaza -- The Audacity of Hope -- Local Activists Attempt to Break the Gaza Blockade"
WHO: Kit Kittredge, Megan Horan, and Richard Lopez
WHEN: Sunday, November 20, 2011 -- 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: 4414 North 34th St, Tacoma, WA 98407 (home of Marilyn Kimmerling)
This past summer, more than thirty-five Americans were among hundreds who tried to break the maritime blockade of Gaza on a ship called "The Audacity of Hope." Kit Kittredge of Quilcene ((Kit also participated in this month's sailing of the "Saoirse," the Irish boat that sailed from Turkey in an attempt to break the Gaza blockade; it was intercepted by Israeli forces 48 miles off the coast of Gaza on Fri., Nov. 4, 2011), Megan Horan of Seattle, and Richard Lopez of Olympia will be in Tacoma on Sun., Nov. 20 for a UFPPC salon at which they'll report on their journey.
Proceeds will be split between United for Peace of Pierce County and next US2Gaza Flotilla.
This is open to the general public, but since it's in a private home, the number present will be limited; if you'd like to come, get your ticket sooner than later. Tickets are available by contacting any of the following people: Kristi Nebel, 253.573.1504, or by mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Sallie Shawl, 253.606.5017 or by mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Mark Jensen, 253.756.7519 or by mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Marilyn Kimmerling, 253.752.0442, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sponsored by United for Peace of Pierce County & the Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace.
[A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to please or to educate" ("aut delectare aut prodesse est"). Salons, commonly associated with French literary and philosophical movements of the 17th century and 18th centuries, were carried on until quite recently, in urban settings, among like-minded people. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon_(gathering) ]
Bio statements about Kit, Megan, and Richard fromthe UStoGaza website; photos by Sallie.
KIT KITTREDGE -- Quilcene, WA
“I am a 53-year-old mother, grandmother, and peace advocate working with CodePink, Seattle MidEast Awareness Campaign, VFP, Ground Zero Center for Nonviolence. I have helped lead six delegations to Gaza in the last two years. We made it five times! I work as a massage therapist, volunteer as an EMT/Firefighter and have an organic garden where I play with my grandkids. I am passionate about peace and work in different schools and communities to help educate and promote social justice. I look forward to continuing this process aboard 'The Audacity of Hope' and firmly believe that all of our efforts contribute to justice and peace for Palestine and the world.”
MEGAN HORAN -- Seattle, WA
“We are all called many things by many people, and I am certainly no exception. I am called ‘daughter’ by my parents and ‘sister’ by my nine brothers and sisters. I am called ‘aunt’ by my fourteen nieces and nephews and ‘friend’ by the people I have been fortunate enough to get to know all around the globe. All of these are who I am to others, and I am equally proud of each and every one, but the one I personally feel is most accurate is ‘global citizen.’ I am fully dedicated to not only bringing aid to Gaza with the help of everyone else involved in this undertaking, I am also committed to bringing what I learn from the experience back to everyone I know who is less than aware of the persecution and oppression being carried out on a daily basis against the Palestinians. I have always been a person with an unwavering focus on what I believe in and there is nothing I believe in more passionately right now than freedom and justice for the Palestinians. I am Megan Horan, and I stand in firm solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
RICHARD LOPEZ -- Olympia, WA
See my video: My Love Letter to Palestine
“Dear Friends in Palestine,
“My name is Richard Lopez and I live in Olympia, Washington. I have one hard-working wife and six awesome kids, one of whom has died. I do know what it means to feel pain. Yet, with all my pain, I cannot even know the pain you must feel when a bomb hits your kids’ bedroom and your children are left dead. I have learned how to play music and I have received training to be a safe space to hear your voice and your stories and then tell you. . .’We love you.’ I believe I represent hope from around the globe and from a small town that really cares about you and is with you. We want to stop by and say, ‘hello,’ drink some coffee or tea, share good music and then hug you. We’re hopping on a boat, meet us at the beach. We will see you very soon.”