Fundraising Letter

To my friends and family,

Since I returned from Egypt and Gaza, I have been having fun and working hard here at Berkeley. I am in my fourth year now, and plan to graduate in the spring with a BA in Near Eastern Languages and Literature and a minor in Global Poverty and Practice. In addition to school I have also been working as the National Student Outreach Coordinator for the Gaza Freedom March. This march is a collaboration between internationals and Palestinians who will come together December 31, 2009 calling for an end to the siege. There are also internationals and Israelis who are organizing for a solidarity march, which will take place concurrently on the other side of the wall. While this may seem like a very political act, and indeed it may be, for me it is about human rights. I cannot stand by and do nothing while my friends in Gaza are denied basic necessities of life due to a blockade that is against international law.

Yesterday I created an individual fundraising page on Facebook which can be accessed at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/360717 . My first donation came from Medea Benjamin, co-founder of San Francisco based NGO Global Exchange, who wrote, "I donated to send Ali to the Gaza Freedom March because she is a terrific organizer and so dedicated to supporting her peers in Gaza. She is an inspiration to those of us in an older generation who want to support a new generation of activists. Go Ali!!!" Even for those who cannot make a donation, kind words such as this go a long way support-wise! I really do appreciate your support. By helping me attend the march, you are showing your respect for human rights and international law, and helping to bring desperately needed material aid to the people of Gaza.

Any donation made to me is tax-deductible as it will go through CODEPINK's account and they have 501c3 status. At the end of my fundraising campaign they will send me a check. If you want more information about the Gaza Freedom March, I encourage you to check out the website at gazafreedommarch.org . You might even think about joining me! : )

Thanks again for your support,

Ali