All are invited to attend an Interfaith Vigil on the occasion of the International Day for Protection of Children, Monday, June 1, at noon, at the U.S. Capitol’s Upper Senate Park, 200 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001.
The vigil will highlight the issue of Palestinian children in Israeli detention and focus on the need to protect all children, both within our US communities and abroad.
Each year hundreds of Palestinian children are arrested by Israeli forces and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system. The United Nations and many human rights groups are concerned by reports from Palestinian children that detail cruel punishments, substandard conditions, and a lack of basic fundamental due process rights in these military courts.
The detention of Palestinian minors by Israel raises serious concerns that serve as a call to action for those who feel a responsibility to care for the most weak and vulnerable members of society.
Vigil Presenters Include:
Rabbi Brant Rosen, American rabbi, journalist, author and blogger, Midwest Regional Director of the American Friends Service Committee
Rev. Graylan S. Hagler, African-American activist, writer and Senior Pastor, Plymouth Congregational UCC, Washington, DC
Dr. Mai Abdul Rahman, Palestinian-American writer, organizer, educator and board member of the Muslim Women’s Association
Wardah Khalid, Scoville Fellow in Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation Education Fund (FCNL)
All are invited to attend this special event on Monday, June 1st, at noon, to come together in support of ending the ill-treatment of Palestinian children in military detention. (Press will be invited to attend).
Learn more about related advocacy events taking place in DC, June 1-3.
For More Information & Media Inquiries, please contact: Katie Huerter (AFSC): khuerter@afsc.org
Interfaith Vigil’s Supporters Include:
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
Defense for Children International Palestine (DCI-Palestine)
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
Friends Committee on National Legislation
United Methodist General Board of Church and Society
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ
Church of the Brethren, Office of Public Witness
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
Pax Christi USA
Jewish Voice for Peace- DC (JVP- DC)
Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP)
Rachel Corrie Foundation
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)
National Lawyers Guild – Palestine Subcommittee
Amnesty International
Read the action of the 221st General Assembly (2014) On Reaffirming the Rights of Children and Attention to Violence Against Children in Israel and Palestine.