Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice.

Like you, everyone here at the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice has been inspired by the strength and courage displayed by Cindy and Craig Corrie and their entire family during the trial in Israel in Rachel's killing. Following their example, we are focusing our outrage over Israeli military and government behavior into positive action to bring peace and justice to Palestine and throughout the world.

On November 5, 2010, for the first time, the United States' human rights record underwent a "Universal Periodic Review" by the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Continuing our human rights advocacy work, the Rachel Corrie Foundation provided an NGO submission for the review that focused on the U.S. Government's inconsistent application of U.S. law that allows for U.S. investigation of potential human rights abuses committed by foreign militaries and that governs funding of military exports and training when evidence exists that these militaries engage in human rights violations. Gina Patnaik, cousin of Rachel Corrie represented the foundation in a side panel of the review and discussed the Corrie family's pursuit of accountability for Rachel's killing.

Here in Olympia, Washington, our local food co-op joined the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement and became the first grocery store in the U.S. to answer the Palestinian call. The Rachel Corrie Foundation supported the co-op board when they came under enormous pressure to reverse their decision. This simple, yet courageous act, has inspired BDS activists across the nation, and we are seeing the growth of a true nonviolent grassroots movement challenging the Occupation.

To continue the excitement and momentum created in our local community by the food co-op's decision, we are co-sponsoring several upcoming events and notable speakers: Ramzy Baroud, Palestinian-American journalist, author, and Editor-in-Chief of the Palestine Chronicle; Gerri Haynes, board member of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility and Palestine delegation leader; and Salt of the Sea, the first feature film ever made by a female Palestinian director, starring Brooklyn-raised, third generation Palestinian refugee, and Tony Award-winning Slam poet Suheir Hammad.

We have begun a new fundraising partnership with the Middle East Children's Alliance to provide clean water to children and their families in Gaza. The foundation has a unique and deep connection to Rafah, Gaza, and $4,000 will allow us to purchase a water purification and desalination unit for a kindergarten there.

Please consider supporting our work today with a tax-deductible donation. We are a small foundation, and your contribution is put to work immediately for event organization, educational outreach, technical assistance for the trial media effort, projects on the ground in Gaza, and other programs the Rachel Corrie Foundation maintains and supports. Click the link below to donate.

As we look to the future, long-term sustainability of the Rachel Corrie Foundation is a vital concern. Recurring donations allow us to plan into the future, knowing that we can count on your support. Making a recurring donation is easy through our online system. Simply click the monthly donation box on our cause donation page.

Though struggling for peace and justice in the Middle East and advocating for Palestinian rights is difficult work, we are fortunate to draw inspiration from people like Rachel Corrie, her strong and courageous family, and from supporters like yourself, who give out of a deep sense of compassion and love for your fellow human beings.Together, we can create the vision that Rachel Corrie dreamed and worked to realize throughout her life: a world which honors human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

With many thanks,

Rochelle Gause and Becca Pilcher
Rachel Corrie Foundation Staff
360.754.3998
rachelcorriefoundation.org