Craig and Cindy Corrie

Dear Friends,

For the Rachel Corrie Foundation, 2010 has been marked by courageous pursuits of accountability. This work is supported by an expanding network of individuals and organizations standing together for justice, non-violence, and universal human rights in the Middle East. As we evaluate and look forward, we ask for your help.

On a personal level, the trial in Israel in Rachel’s case has been all-consuming. It is significant – because, as a civil case, it addresses the collective responsibility of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and State, rather than actions of strictly one or two lower-ranked soldiers. The Rachel Corrie Foundation continues to communicate and educate about the human rights implications of this legal effort.

In May and beyond, we followed the bold path of the Gaza flotilla, the Israeli military attack on the Mavi Marmara, and the determined journeys of the MV Rachel Corrie and Irene (the Jewish Gaza Boat) that followed. At great personal risk, courageous seafarers refused to accept the continuing intransigence of the Israeli Government toward Gaza and the unwillingness or inability of the U.S. and other world powers to improve the situation. From the week following the Mavi Marmara attack until after the MV Rachel Corrie sailed, we provided over 26 local, national, and international news interviews illuminating the Israeli blockade and siege of Gaza that drove the flotilla activists to sea. Based on our own experience and on the U.S.

The White House

By The ORSMP Steering Committee

The Olympia Rafah Solidarity Mural Project (ORSMP) is a creative endeavor of The Rachel Corrie Foundation and Break the Silence Mural Project. The mural tells the tale of two cities linked by tragedy—Olympia, WA and Rafah, Palestine—and is expected to be the largest public art project highlighting the experiences of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. The ultimate goal of the ORSMP is to use art, culture and technology in innovative ways to increase the strength and visibility of movements for social justice in Palestine, Israel, the U.S., and throughout the world.

Located on the north side of the Labor Temple building, on the corner of State St. and Capitol Blvd. in downtown Olympia, this 4,000 square foot mural featuring a huge, interactive olive tree, is the collective effort of hundreds of people. Beautiful and creative tree leaves were designed by local, national and international activists, artists, and social justice organizations.

ORSMP has successfully challenged physical boundaries; people unable to travel to Olympia sent digital images which were printed and included on the wall. Distances are again mitigated by the mural’s audio component whereby viewers can use a cell phone to call and hear the message of each leaf and the history, mission, and goals of each participating artist or organization. Some have included poetry, prose and/or music to express their ideas and feelings. Conceived in 2008 by Susan Greene in collaboration with San Francisco’s Freedom Archives, and created by program designer Sam Stoller, this audio/visual component is also available on the mural’s web site.

Please join us in celebrating the completion of the Mural (phase II) on Saturday, October 17th. We will honor all participants through a day of food, discussion, procession, music, dancing, and celebration. Highlights include Native American and Rachel Corrie Foundation delegates speaking on their recent trips to the West Bank and Gaza, and a workshop on Art & Activism.

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