First of all, yes I blog at 4am...I write when the words come, and often it's in the stillness of the night, when my cluttered mind has begun to rest, allowing space for ideas to emerge. This morning my mind is troubled by Egypt's announcement that it has closed the Rafah border into Gaza, barring all 1300 activists from entering in a few short days. But a troubled mind is not the same as a dissuaded mind. In fact, I will board the plane with even greater conviction than before.
Dear Egypt, we will not be silenced. The world is waking up and saying no to injustice and suffering. Borders and boundaries, walls and guns are no longer enough to hold tens of thousands captive. Yes, you can make it difficult for us. Yes, you can force us with your guns and your 'power' to stay at the border . Yes, you can threaten us with 'the law'. But you can never convince me that the right thing to do is to sit in my cozy living room by the fireplace, complacently agreeing that no action is a choice.
Dear Egypt, We will be arriving soon...some of us are already there. And we will stand, arm in arm at the border, demanding an end to the inhuman and illegal siege on Gaza. Our purpose has never been more clear. Children are waiting. Gaza is waiting. We will not be silenced
Please take a moment to send a message to the Egyptian authorities:
Egyptian embassy in Ottawa
Tel: (613)234-4931 (613)234-4935
Fax: (613)234-4398
Embassy's E-mail: egyptemb@sympatico.ca
Ambassador's e-mail: egypt4931@rogers.com
Consulat général d'Égypte à Montréal
tel : 514-866-8455
fax: 514-866-0835
egypt.consulate@videotron.ca
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Palestine Division in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo
Ahmed Azzam, tel +202-25749682 Email: ahmed.azzam@mfa.gov.eg
Other consular offices: http://www.mfa.gov.eg/MFA_Portal/en-GB/mfa_websits/
(possible sugested text:
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to express my full support for the December 31, 2009 Gaza Freedom March, and am in touch with my Member of the Canadian Parliament on this issue.
I respectfully urge the Egyptian government to allow the 1,360 international delegates to enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt.
The aim of the march is to call on Israel to lift the siege. It is also humanitarian: the delegates will also take in badly needed medical aid, as well as school supplies and winter jackets for the children of Gaza.
Please let this historic March proceed. Doing so will do much to endear Egypt to both the marchers and their many friends and supporters.
Thank you.)
