Onward, United and Stronger Until Return!

Ninth Annual International Al-Awda Convention
The Embassy Suite Hotel, Anaheim South
11767 Harbor Boulevard
Garden Grove, California 92840
April 29, 30, 2011

A significant event at a critical time in Arab history

At a time when the people of the Arab world have taken to the streets to initiate major and momentous political changes after decades of brutal control by dictatorial regimes, we the Palestinians are faced with similar challenges standing up to one of the most brutal occupations in modern history. The recent revelations of betrayal and attempt to liquidate the right to return by elements of an unelected and unrepresentative puppet leadership, requires once again for our people to take control of our own destiny. We need to develop strategy and tactics to join our Egyptian, Tunisian and other Arab comrades as our struggle to return is raised to a higher level. We must also begin to think beyond return. As the call for freedom in the Arab world has evolved, the Zionist occupier has intensified its bombing of the Gaza Strip, land confiscations and home demolitions in the West Bank, Al Naqab and elsewhere in Palestine. The repression by the Zionist puppets becomes more desperate, as they try to hang on to our lands and lives. The purpose of our annual convention is to summarize and evaluate our work since the previous convention.

Al-Awda's Ninth Annual International Convention comes in the midst of these challenges. We call on all Palestinians regardless of organizational affiliation to join Al-Awda's members and supporters at this year's convention. We will address and collectively take steps toward changing our destiny as a people while we reaffirm our determination to return to our homes and lands. We can no longer stay silent while an un-elected, illegitimate leadership beholden to its U.S. and occupation masters is cravenly giving up on our rights.

To address these critical issues that our cause is facing, planning discussions that will merge brain storming ideas, strategy, tactics with action items will include:

• The Palestine Papers and the Arab people's uprising; Impact on the Palestinian struggle and future organizing
• Student Summit
• Boycotts & Divestment
• Return From Exile Project with Free Palestine Movement
• Cultural Resistance Through Various Forms of Art
• Palestinian Children's Rights Campaign and Refugee Support

Several young activists from Al Bayader Center Yarmouk refugee camp will be taking part this year in hands-on workshops

Among the Speakers at the Ninth Al-Awda convention are:

• Dr. Salman Abu Sitta, General Coordinator Palestinian Right of Return Congress, Founding President of the Palestine Land Society
• Hugh Lanning, Deputy General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, and Palestine Solidarity Campaign's Chair UK
• Ahmed Shawki, Egyptian journalist and editor of the International Socialist Review
• Ali Abunimah, Palestinian author and co-founder Electronic Intifada
• Lubna Masarwa, Palestinian activist, survivor of Mavi Marmara massacre
• Laila Al-Arian, Palestinian Author, writer and producer with Al-Jazeera English, one of the lead producers of the Palestine Papers
• Dr. Jamal Nassar, Specialist in Middle East politics and Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at CSUSB
• Rim Banna, Palestinian singer & activist
• Najat El-Khairy, Palestinian porcelain painting artist
• Remi Kanazi, Palestinian spoken word artist, activist
• Hala Gabriel, Palestinian filmmaker producer
• Michel Shehadeh, Executive Director Arab American Film Festival
• Ziad Abbas, Associate Director Middle East Children's Alliance
• Dr. Paul Larudee, International Solidarity Movement, Free Palestine Movement, and cofounder The Free Gaza Movement
• Dr. Sunaina Maira, Professor of Asian American Studies at the University of California, Davis, member Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
• Youth from Refugee Camps

Palestinian singer Rim Banna will also perform some of her songs live during the convention!

Plus . . .

Zaytouna Dabke Group. Cultural presentations, books and solidarity items, network with friends and fellow activists & lunch presentations & evening banquet with live music! (Baby-sitting available for entire convention)

Join us! Make a difference by volunteering & donating!

Additional Information: Ninth Annual International Al-Awda Convention Website

DON'T DELAY! RESERVE YOUR PLACE TODAY!

Media: Special arrangement available for media reporters who will cover the convention including interviews with guest speakers and panelists and organizers. If you are with the media, please contact us at office@al-awda.org

Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
PO Box 131352
Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA
Tel: 760-918-9441
Fax: 760-918-9442
E-mail: office@al-awda.org
WWW: http://al-awda.org

Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition (PRRC) is a not for profit tax-exempt educational and charitable 501(c)(3) organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America. Under IRS guidelines, your donations to PRRC are tax-deductible. To donate, please go to http://www.al-awda.org/donate.html and follow the instructions. To become a member, http://www.al-awda.org/membership.html