‘Lebanon: An Open Country for Civil Resistance’

Civilian Resistance: Call For Action & Solidarity For Lebanon

We, the people of Lebanon, call upon the local and international community to join a campaign of civil resistance to Israel’s war against our country and our people. We declare Lebanon an open country for civil resistance.

In the face of Israel’s systematic killing of our people, the indiscriminate bombing of our towns, the scorching of our villages, and the attempted destruction of our civil infrastructure, we say NO!

In the face of the forced expulsion of a quarter of our population from their homes throughout Lebanon, and the complicity of governments and international bodies, we re-affirm the acts of civil resistance that began from the first day of the Israeli assault, and we stress and add the urgent need TO ACT!

We urge you to join us in defying Israel’s aggression against our country and in defending the rights of the inhabitants throughout Lebanon, and particularly in the South, to live on their land. When the United Nations, created to preserve peace and security in the world, is paralyzed; when governments become complicit in war crimes, then people must show their strength and rise up. When justice and human rights are scorned, those who care must unite in their defense.

Building on our belief in our country, the efforts of the civil resistance, and on the arrival of the internationals coming to Lebanon for solidarity, we declare that Lebanon is an open country for civil resistance, starting from August 12.

On August 12 at 7 am, we will gather in Martyrs’ Square to form a civilian convoy to the south of Lebanon. Hundreds of Lebanese and international civilians will carry relief as an expression of solidarity for the inhabitants of the heavily destroyed south who have been bravely withstanding the assault of the Israeli military.

After August 12th, the campaign will continue with a series of civil actions for which your presence and participation is needed. Working together in solidarity we will overcome the complacency, inaction, and complicity of the international community and we will deny Israel its goal of removing Lebanese from their land and destroying the fabric of our country.

To sign up to join the convoy, send us an email through our contact page or contact one of the following:

Rasha Salti
email: convois.citoyens.sud.liban@gmail.com
phone: 03 970855

Rania Masri
email: rania.masri@balamand.edu.lb
phone: 03 135279
phone: 06 930250 x 5683 or x 3933

En castellano (In Spain)
Alberto Arce
email: nonviolenceproject@gmail.com
phone: 0034655650048
phone: 096170974462

Finkployd
finkploydster@gmail.com
+96170155741

Please check the website of this campaign: www.lebanonsolidarity.org

This campaign is thus far endorsed by more than 200 organizations, including:
The Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), International Solidarity Movement (ISM), Cultural Center for Southern Lebanon, Norwegian People’s Aid, Lebanese Center for Policy Studies, Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections, Frontiers, Kafa, Nahwa al-Muwatiniya, Spring Hints, Hayya Bina, Lebanese Transparency Association, Amam05, Lebanese Center for Civic Education, Let’s Build Trust, CRTD-A, Solida, National Association for Vocational Training and Social Services, Lebanese Development Pioneers, Nadi Li Koul Alnas, and Lecorvaw.

The Tune

What tune is being played tonight;
For children sleeping sound and tight?
Dreaming of balls, dolls and fake weapons,
Away from real bombs and canons;
Hoping they won’t face a fate,
Whether early or late;
Like Qana’s children who though innocent and sweet,
Ended up being cooked like raw meat,
By the enemy’s hatred and ignorance,
Having no limit to their vengeance.

Children born in a village,
Where Jesus showed his image
Of peace and prosperity,
In a loving and innocent community;
Turning water into wine,
As a divine miraculous sign;
To cherish the social spirit,
Where love has no limit;
Hoping to put an end
To bloodsheds that never end;
Since this is not the first time
That Qana’s children face such a crime.
They did not know that certain fingers
Were composing tunes on pianos and tinkers;
To steal their lives away,
Not to see the sun another day;

To their dawn to put an end,
Leaving wounds that are so hard to amend.
Their passion for life was so strong,
But Oh! How much they were wrong!

Was this done for us to lose hope?
With a loud voice, I say nope!
Yet as long as the sun rises and the moon shines,
And the devil on such bloody massacres dines;
The fingers will wander through the keys,
Playing all kinds of melodies,
That are loved by children they say,
For them we shall only pray.

Samar
Monday, July 31, 2006