Rachel Corrie and the children of Gaza

April 10, 2009

Dear Friends,

Today would be the 30th birthday of my daughter Rachel, who was run over by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza in 2003 as she tried to save a Palestinian family's home from demolition. Last month, when my husband Craig and I traveled to Gaza with CODEPINK, it was so moving for us to reconnect with the families and the children that Rachel cared so deeply about. The 793,520 children of Gaza (56% of the population) have lived under occupation and siege all of their lives. They suffered unconscionably through the attacks and devastation inflicted upon them by the Israeli military during twenty-two days of horror in December and January. Hundreds did not survive. But those who did, still smile and laugh like all children. They are beautiful, resilient, curious and full of potential. They deserve the basics that all children in the world should have: ample food, clean water, healthcare, safe places to play and learn. They deserve the tools to deal with their nightmares, and sleep that is not punctuated by bombing. They deserve life, freedom, and hope. We can be a part of the hope and the solution by arming ourselves with the experience, knowledge, and insight to be stronger advocates for these children and their families--to open the borders, to end the siege, to end the occupation, and to see justice prevail. We hope you will join CODEPINK in the campaign to Speak Out for the Youth of Gaza. In peace, Cindy Corrie

Join a delegation:

• One, May 28-June 5, is open to everyone and will enter from Egypt

• A Jewish delegation, June 5-14, will enter from Israel. Click here to find out how to travel with us.

If you can't join our delegation, you can still help the children of Gaza. Your donation of $10 will purchase a backpack full of school supplies for one child. $100 will contribute toward building an International Friendship Playground at one of the schools bombed during the invasion. To donate, click here and if you want to help Gazan children in your mother's name, you can donate and we will send her a card with news of your gift.

And don't forget, you are all invited to our Mother's Day celebration in front of the White House May 9-10! For more info, visit www.codepinkalert.org/mothersday.

Thank you for showing the children of Gaza that another world is possible!
Allison, Audrey, Blaine, Dana, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janna, Janet, Jean, Jodie, Liz, Lori, Lydia, Medea, Nancy, Pam, Paris, Rae and Tighe

P.S. We'd love for you to be part of our Virtual Mother's Day Quilt--an online photo mosaic that showcases our strength and diversity as mothers and women