Activism

Oakland’s Palestine mural is site of Valentine’s Day celebration

If you’re anywhere near the Bay Area this weekend, the “Revolution is Love” Dance Party at the Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural is where the Valentine celebration is happening. We’re all invited!

Invitation LOVE IS REVOLUTION ~Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural Project.  Saturday, February 14, 2015 -- 26th Street between Telegraph and Broadway, Oakland.
Invitation LOVE IS REVOLUTION ~Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural Project, Valentine’s Day. Saturday, February 14, 2015       Across from Uptown Body and Fender,  26th Street between Telegraph and Broadway, Oakland.

A benefit for the Arab Resource & Organizing Center’s (AROC) BDS campaign features DJ Rosa la Rumorosa, Dabke dancing, and some of the best local talent the Bay Area has to offer. After some “inspired activism” and a few cocktails, I’ll be down for a tango lessons with the infamous Abrazo Queer.

Invitation LOVE IS REVOLUTION ~Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural Project.  Saturday, February 14, 2015 -- 26th Street between Telegraph and Broadway, Oakland.
Invitation LOVE IS REVOLUTION ~Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural Project. Valentine’s Day. Saturday, February 14, 2015 — 26th Street between Telegraph and Broadway, Oakland.

The Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural (OPSM), unveiled last August, is a labor of love and a miracle come to life.  Art Forces:

OPSM is designed to demonstrate the power of art to effect social change and the global connections embodied in joint struggles for justice. Using the occupation of Palestine as a lens, the mural addresses social and political issues including interlinked histories of colonization, environmental exploitation and international solidarity. In the continued effort to bring awareness and opportunities for interaction with the community, we are excited to present the following events to amplify and further explore the mural’s themes through participatory experiences.

In this fantastic video, muralists describe the meaning behind their panels, includes a thrilling soundtrack by Grammy-nominated Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux’s Somos Sur, featuring Shadia Mansour, and live performance by Palestinian American rap artist Chris Gazaleh, one of the participating muralists (who is also performing at Revolution is Love Valentine dance party):

A few of the participating muralist in the video above. First, Dina Mohammed Matar, one of the panelists, is a visual artist currently living in Bureij refugee camp in Gaza who was unable to travel here. She created the panel in Gaza and it was then re-created on location by volunteers:

I wanted to convey some aspects of our society and of our life here. We love trees, we love life, we have hopes, we love colors. We long for a better life. We love to read. We want to get married, to enjoy life. People outside may think our life is only about destruction, war and misery – this is not so.

Susan Greene from Art Forces, a team of artists whose vision for community projects, especially murals (many in Palestine), use public art to inspire critical thinking, resistance and action,” making visible the connections between struggles for social justice globally“, painted one of the mural panels:

This project brings together a very diverse group of people, it’s amazing the idea that it’s in Oakland, again on occupied land, and making that connection with Palestine. It’s a powerful statement that we’re putting forth here, it’s international solidarity, it’s taking the local to the global.

And lastly, Berkeley’s Nadya Rajas Tannous, who worked on the project with Northern California Friends of Sabeel from start to finish, describes in stark terms why this mural is such a necessary feature on our landscape:

I’m sick of having to go out into the street every couple years and explain to people in this country why we’re human and why Palestinians deserve to live in peace which primarily means turning back on the water, ending the siege of Gaza, ending the occupation and allowing for physical movement of all Palestinian people.

DJ Rumorosa
Bay Area DJ Rosa la Rumorosa

 

So come on down, right across the street from Uptown Body and Fender (and Gallery), a vital hub of local activism, and join the party! Bay Area DJ Rosa la Rumorosa will spin us into late night and let’s support the Arab Resource & Organizing Center’s (AROC) Boycott Divestment and Sanctions organizing.

Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural with Artists and Volunteers (photo: Art Forces)
Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural with Artists and Volunteers (photo: Art Forces)
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Gorgeous mural, gorgeous people, humbling video.

Thanks Annie~ you just made my day! (never mind that I’m still tearing up)

I wish I could be there in person, but I will be there in spirit. Showing solidarity ~THAT’s the way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and every day. I hope that it is packed with good people!

Looking at the last 3 stories posted here (the two Stanford ones and this one), it is as if the Bay area is the center of activism in our country – not unlike in the Vietnam era.

Damn proud of it!

Would this happen to Israeli students?

“Gazans studying abroad are trapped in Strip due to Egyptian border closure
Palestinian Authority asks Israel to allow stranded students to leave through Jordan crossing.

About 1,000 students from the Gaza Strip who are studying at universities abroad have been stranded in Gaza since last summer’s war with Israel. The students — whose studies and, in some cases, scholarships have been jeopardized by their failure to return to their campuses — are among some 8,000 Gazans on the Palestinian Interior Ministry’s waiting list of those who wish to go abroad if…” Haaretz

No way.

Annie, as usual you have done a jam up job. Thanks again.

Thanks for keeping us posted, Annie–you rock!