It saddens me to report in this weekly message the death under very suspiscious circumstances of an important activist for Palestine/for peace. Riad Hammad visited us in CT twice and we have met many times and exchanged lots of conversations by email and phone. He will be missed by his family, by the hundreds of Palestinian children and families he helped, and by all of us who knew him.
Obituary as Published in Austin American Statesman
Riad Elsolh Hamad
Longtime peace activist, beloved father, partner, soul mate, and educator
Riad Elsolh Hamad died tragically on April 14, 2008. Riad was born on September 20, 1952 in Beirut, Lebanon, but called Austin home since 1970. A lifelong scholar, Riad received the first of many degrees from the University of Texas, Austin. At the time of his death, he was pursuing a PhD in Educational Technology. Riad touched many lives as an educator and friend. He was a computer technology instructor at Clint Small Middle School. He was a selfless individual who focused on helping students realize their potential. He was also a champion of human rights and worked tirelessly for peace and justice. He founded the Palestinian Children's Welfare Fund to aid Palestinian children, women, and families in need. Riad is survived by his loving partner, Diana; his daughter, Rita; his son, Abdullah; his brother, Omar; and other siblings and family across the world. He leaves behind countless friends who will miss him dearly and a legacy of love and peace. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Palestinian Children's Welfare Fund (http://www.pcwf.org, or by mail at PCWF - Riad Hamad Memorial, 405 Vista Heights Road, El Cerrito, CA 94530).
An interview with Riad can be found here
I think the best way to honor Riad and all who preceded him (Rachel Corrie, Tanya Reinhardt etc) is by getting more involved and doubling our efforts including donating more. Towards this, I wanted to focus in this week's message on Asking for your support for Peace Action.
Earlier this year I was nominated for, and accepted an appointment to the Board of Directors the Peace Action Education Fund (PAEF).
The board has since endorsed our Wheels of Justice Bus tour. Peace Action had previously also supported the Palestinian Refugees Right to Return. Peace Action Education Fund's work is an excellent compliment to the Wheels of Justice work, and I expect my role on the Board of Directors will provide great opportunities for cross-fertilization and potential partnership with both organizations. As a grassroots membership organization of 50,000 members the Peace Action Education Fund can provide an excellent opportunity for outreach for the Wheels of Justice Tour.
As one of my first acts of Board of Directors I'd like to invite you to visit the Peace Action Education fund website and consider join the Peace Action Education Fund, with a tax-deductible contribution of , $100 $50 or $15.
I am working to raise $1,000 over the next two month, and your contribution will go directly to support work educating voters about our issues, during campaign season and promoting a more diplomatic foreign policy.
If you are not ready to join with a membership, but would like to support their work you can take action to end the occupation of Iraq by visiting here.
The Peace Action Education Fund works to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons, promote government spending priorities that support human needs and encourage a foreign policy that embodies respect for human rights. Their work includes supporting the Student Peace Action Network, and voter education to elect pro-peace candidates, through their Peace Voter campaign.
If you have any questions about the Peace Action Education Fund's work or ways you can get involved, please contact Development Associate Seth Long at 301-565-4050 x 308 or by email at slong@peace-action.org
Sincerely,
Mazin Qumsiyeh
http://peace-action.org
http://justicewheels.org
http://qumsiyeh.org
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I Acuse the John Haggee followers.
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