New venue found for Palestinian rights speaker after divinity school rescinds invite

<p>Rev. Graylan Hagler <em>is </em>coming to Rochester and he <em>is </em>speaking at two venues!</p><p>On Monday, September 21, I started getting emails that <a href="http://www.crcds.edu/">Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School</a> had rescinded <a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/connecting-the-dots-ferguson-to-palestine/">an invitation to have Rev. Hagler give a talk</a> pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement and the oppression of the Palestinians. The talk, "Connecting the dots: Ferguson to Palestine" was to be a kick-off event for <a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/">Witness Palestine Rochester</a>'s film series at the Little Theatre. I started working with the group this past winter and helped produce a trailer for the film series.</p><p>[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"drupalimc_large","fid":"12606","attributes":{"alt":"Witness Palestine Film Series","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]</p><div class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3455" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><i class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3457">Connecting the Dots </i><span class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3459" style="font-style:normal;">is an event meant to show the connections between the struggles of Palestinians resisting the occupation in Palestine by the state of Israel and Black people resisting the occupation of neighborhoods of color—Black neighborhoods—by the police in America. From the community reports given by B.L.A.C.K. members who went to Ferguson, MO and who were subsequently abused and arrested by the police, to members of the Black Lives Matter movement who went to Palestine and witnessed, first-hand, the same kinds of abuse and brutality meted out by the Israeli military against the Palestinians, </span><i class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3461">Connecting the Dots</i><span class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3463" style="font-style:normal;"> aims to elucidate these struggles in solidarity and resistance. </span></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><!--break--></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong>Rochester Community Video Reportbacks from folks who visited Ferguson, MO:</strong></span></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><span class="vm-video-title-content yt-uix-sessionlink">Ricardo Adams from Ferguson, MO: "Enough is enough!"</span></span></strong></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;">[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"drupalimc_large","fid":"10296","attributes":{"alt":"Ricardo Adams from Ferguson, MO: \"Enough is enough!\"","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]</span></div></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><br><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong>Ferguson Report Back- Ricardo Adams and Rosemary Rivera</strong></span></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong>[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"drupalimc_large","fid":"10333","attributes":{"alt":"Ferguson Report Back- Ricardo Adams and Rosemary Rivera","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]</strong></span></div></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong>"The whole damn system is GUILTY!" a community reportback from Ferguson</strong></span></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"drupalimc_large","fid":"11078","attributes":{"alt":"\"The whole damn system is GUILTY!\" a community reportback from Ferguson","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><br><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong>Partial Q &amp; A from "The Whole Damn System is Guilty"</strong></div></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"drupalimc_large","fid":"11079","attributes":{"alt":"Partial Q &amp; A from \"The Whole Damn System is Guilty\"","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong>"They think it's a game, they think it's a joke!" Ferguson organizers speak!</strong></span></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"drupalimc_large","fid":"10482","attributes":{"alt":"\"They think it's a game, they think it's a joke!\" Ferguson organizers speak!","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong>Danielle Ponder sings after organizers from Ferguson, MO share experiences with Rochester</strong></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"drupalimc_large","fid":"10479","attributes":{"alt":"Danielle Ponder sings after organizers from Ferguson, MO share experiences with Rochester","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong>Solidarity Demonstration in Nazareth : Ferguson to Palestine</strong></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"drupalimc_large","fid":"12607","attributes":{"alt":"Solidarity Demonstration in Nazareth Ferguson to Palestine","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;">The <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/09/22/colgate-roch-rescinds-speaker-offer/72609700/"><em>Democrat &amp; Chronicle </em>reported in a September 22 article</a> the rationale for the school's actions: </span></div><blockquote><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><p>In explaining the divinity school's position, Colgate Rochester President Marvin McMickle issued a statement to students at the divinity school on Tuesday, saying that many of them were aware of the lecture by Hagler sponsored by Witnessing for Palestine.</p><p>But, McMickle went on to say,"after certain concerning facts came to light and after consultation with other members" of the divinity school's administration, &nbsp;he notified Witnessing for Palestine that "we are no longer prepared to allow this lecture to take place" on campus.</p><p>Death threats made to Hagler also became an issue.</p><p>"When we heard about the threats, we stated&nbsp;the need for additional security and we would not provide it," said Thomas McDade Clay, vice president for institutional advancement at Colgate Rochester. And he said the&nbsp;decision to cancel was made on Friday, after it appeared that Witnessing for Palestine would not provide funds for security.</p><p>McMickle's statement notes that the divinity school "has been supportive of Palestinian people and publicly critical of the ways by which the State of Israel suppresses the legitimate rights&nbsp;of Palestine,"</p><p>But in the case of other speakers, the divinity school either knew the invited speakers or was familiar with their messages,</p><p>"Sadly, in this case neither we nor Christians Witnessing for Palestine did an adequate job of vetting and reviewing the particular speaker's message and recent history," said McMickle's statement.</p><p>He also said the fact that Hagler's lecture "coincides with Yom Kippur&nbsp;further convinced us of the appropriateness of our decision."</p><p>Yom Kippur, which is the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins at sundown on Tuesday and ends at nightfall&nbsp;Wednesday.</p></div></blockquote><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">In an <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/graylan-disinvinted-palestine">article published on September 21, <em>Mondoweiss </em>reported</a> on the death threats Rev. Hagler had received from anti-Palestinian groups and bigots:</div><blockquote><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Hagler told&nbsp;Mondoweiss that pro-Israel groups pressured the divinity school to cancel his speaking engagement.</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><br>This past week, Rev. Hagler also says he received numerous death threats via phone and email. In some of the phone calls, Hagler said those threatening him identified themselves as members of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a hard-line right-wing Evangelical Christian Zionist organization. Hagler said they warned him “We are going to kill you in the name of Christ if you come to Rochester” and “I hope you come here so I can spit in your face.”</div></blockquote><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;">Personally, it was a disappointment to hear that <a href="http://rochester.indymedia.org/node/100202">Colgate had rescinded the invitation not only because it was the divinity school attended by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.</a> but because of its rich history of social, racial, and economic justice. But I was heartened to hear that Rev. Hagler was coming to Rochester regardless.</span></div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">According to <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine">another article published this morning, <em>Mondoweiss </em>reported</a> that Rev. Hagler had received appreciation and support since the attacks had begun.&nbsp;</div><blockquote><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">“I want to thank all of those who have worked to secure a venue, have notified allies, and sent words of encouragement and blessings,” he said.</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Rev. Hagler spoke highly of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) in particular. They have “been tremendous allies as JVP nationally and locally in Rochester put an eye to the matter and effectively put feet on the ground to make a difference,” the reverend explained.</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">“There are so many emails, and calls of support that I have received and I am thankful for each one,” Hagler added. “It is clear that with all of the people working together bigotry and hatred will continue to be diminished, truth will continue to be increased and the evils of racism here at home and in places like Israel will be challenged until the evils of racism and hatred are no more.”</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Hagler maintained “we have not been intimidated, but are determined to bring truth to light.”<br>&nbsp;</div></blockquote><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">The article started by stating that the "Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network (UCCPIN) strongly condemned" the cancellation of Rev. Hagler's talk tomorrow at the divinity school.</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Over the next day or so, I got more emails from organizers scrambling to find a new venue. As I was posting the press releases and the articles from <em>Mondoweiss</em> and the <em>Democrat &amp; Chronicle</em>, a few people stepped up to offer space. (They know who they are, their messages were passed on, and I thank them.)</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">In the end, the organizers--<a href="http://cw4p.org/">Christians Witnessing for Palestine</a> and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JVPROC">Rochester chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace</a>--decided to host <strong>Rev. Hagler's speaking engagement</strong> at the <strong>German House (315 Gregory St., Rochester, NY) at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, September 24</strong>.</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">I was also clued into another speaking engagement earlier in the day with the same heading at the University of Rochester. <strong>Rev. Hagler will be speaking from 2:00PM - 3:00PM, at University of Rochester's Wilson Commons Gowen Room, on Thursday, September 24</strong>.</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Both talks are open to the public.</div><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network (UCCPIN) strongly condemned the cancellation of Reverend Graylan Hagler’s “From Ferguson to Palestine” talk at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY on September 24. - See more at: http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine#sthash.bUoOoccc.dpuf</div><div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">The Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network (UCCPIN) strongly condemned the cancellation of Reverend Graylan Hagler’s “From Ferguson to Palestine” talk at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY on September 24. - See more at: http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine#sthash.bUoOoccc.dpuf</div><div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">The Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network (UCCPIN) strongly condemned the cancellation of Reverend Graylan Hagler’s “From Ferguson to Palestine” talk at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY on September 24. - See more at: http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine#sthash.bUoOoccc.dp</div></div><p class="pgm_date">The <a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/#post-programs">Witness Palestine Film Series</a> begins shortly after Rev. Hagler's speaking engagement. See the films coming up at the end of September and the beginning of October as well as the cultural event scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2015, below.</p><div class="row"><div class="col-md-12 single-content"><div class="section-normal " style=""><div class="row blox-row "><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"><div class="blox-column-content" style=""><div class="blox-element image img_box text-center" data-animate="fadeIn" style="animation-delay: 0.1s;"><ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/the-wanted-18/">The Wanted 18</a>, Sunday, September 27, 2015, 2:00 p.m. @ the Little Theatre</li></ul></div><div class="blox-element image pgm_img text-center " data-animate="none">&nbsp;</div></div></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"><div class="blox-column-content" style=""><div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"><ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/roadmap-to-apartheid/">Roadmap to Apartheid</a>, Monday, September 28, 2015, 6:45 p.m. @ the Little Theatre</li></ul></div><div class="blox-element image text-center " data-animate="none">&nbsp;</div></div></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"><div class="blox-column-content" style=""><div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"><ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/where-should-the-birds-fly/">Where Should the Birds Fly</a>, Sunday, October 4, 2015, 2:00 p.m. @ the Little Theatre</li></ul></div><div class="blox-element image text-center " data-animate="none">&nbsp;</div></div></div></div></div><div class="section-normal " style=""><div class="row blox-row "><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"><div class="blox-column-content" style=""><div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"><ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/al-helm/">Al Helm</a>, Monday, October 5, 2015, 6:45 p.m. @ the Little Theatre</li></ul></div><div class="blox-element image text-center " data-animate="none">&nbsp;</div></div></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"><div class="blox-column-content" style=""><div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"><ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/the-road-to-silverstone/">The Road to Silverstone</a>, Wednesday, October 7, 2015, 7:00 p.m. @ St. John Fisher College</li></ul></div><div class="blox-element image pgm_img text-center " data-animate="none">&nbsp;</div></div></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"><div class="blox-column-content" style=""><div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"><ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/celebrate-palestine/">Celebrate Palestine</a>, Friday, October 9, 2015, 5:30 p.m. @ Asbury First United Methodist Church</li></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p>[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"drupalimc_large","fid":"12610","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]</p><p>photo credit: Daniel Ruthenberg-Marshall</p>

<p>Rev. Graylan Hagler <em>is </em>coming to Rochester and he <em>is </em>speaking at two venues!</p> <p>On Monday, September 21, I started getting emails that <a href="http://www.crcds.edu/">Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School</a> had rescinded <a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/connecting-the-dots-ferguson-to-palestine/">an invitation to have Rev. Hagler give a talk</a> pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement and the oppression of the Palestinians. The talk, "Connecting the dots: Ferguson to Palestine" was to be a kick-off event for <a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/">Witness Palestine Rochester</a>'s film series at the Little Theatre. I started working with the group this past winter and helped produce a trailer for the film series.</p> <p><div class="media media-element-container media-drupalimc_large"><div id="file-12606" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/12606">Witness Palestine Film Series</a></h2> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-image media-youtube-13"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="620" height="480" title="Witness Palestine Film Series" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kv4P9XMpQtU?wmode=opaque&controls=" name="Witness Palestine Film Series" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Witness Palestine Film Series</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div></p> <div class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3455" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><i class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3457">Connecting the Dots </i><span class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3459" style="font-style:normal;">is an event meant to show the connections between the struggles of Palestinians resisting the occupation in Palestine by the state of Israel and Black people resisting the occupation of neighborhoods of color—Black neighborhoods—by the police in America. From the community reports given by B.L.A.C.K. members who went to Ferguson, MO and who were subsequently abused and arrested by the police, to members of the Black Lives Matter movement who went to Palestine and witnessed, first-hand, the same kinds of abuse and brutality meted out by the Israeli military against the Palestinians, </span><i class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3461">Connecting the Dots</i><span class="yiv8889822956" id="yiv8889822956yui_3_16_0_1_1440853216913_3463" style="font-style:normal;"> aims to elucidate these struggles in solidarity and resistance. </span></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> <!--break--></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong>Rochester Community Video Reportbacks from folks who visited Ferguson, MO:</strong></span></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><span class="vm-video-title-content yt-uix-sessionlink">Ricardo Adams from Ferguson, MO: "Enough is enough!"</span></span></strong></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><div class="media media-element-container media-drupalimc_large"><div id="file-10296" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/10296">Ricardo Adams from Ferguson, MO: &quot;Enough is enough!&quot;</a></h2> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-image media-youtube-14"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="620" height="480" title="Ricardo Adams from Ferguson, MO: &quot;Enough is enough!&quot;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uu-7NamEQwg?wmode=opaque&controls=" name="Ricardo Adams from Ferguson, MO: &quot;Enough is enough!&quot;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Ricardo Adams from Ferguson, MO: &amp;quot;Enough is enough!&amp;quot;</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div></span></div> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><br /><br /><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong>Ferguson Report Back- Ricardo Adams and Rosemary Rivera</strong></span></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong><div class="media media-element-container media-drupalimc_large"><div id="file-10333" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/10333">Ferguson Report Back- Ricardo Adams and Rosemary Rivera</a></h2> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-image media-youtube-15"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="620" height="480" title="Ferguson Report Back- Ricardo Adams and Rosemary Rivera" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T-FzPy_h23Y?wmode=opaque&controls=" name="Ferguson Report Back- Ricardo Adams and Rosemary Rivera" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Ferguson Report Back- Ricardo Adams and Rosemary Rivera</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div></strong></span></div> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong>"The whole damn system is GUILTY!" a community reportback from Ferguson</strong></span></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><div class="media media-element-container media-drupalimc_large"><div id="file-11078" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/11078">&quot;The whole damn system is GUILTY!&quot; a community reportback from Ferguson</a></h2> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-image media-youtube-16"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="620" height="480" title="&quot;The whole damn system is GUILTY!&quot; a community reportback from Ferguson" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yo7jj8fBBwI?wmode=opaque&controls=" name="&quot;The whole damn system is GUILTY!&quot; a community reportback from Ferguson" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of &amp;quot;The whole damn system is GUILTY!&amp;quot; a community reportback from Ferguson</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><br /><br /><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong>Partial Q &amp; A from "The Whole Damn System is Guilty"</strong></div> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><div class="media media-element-container media-drupalimc_large"><div id="file-11079" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/11079">Partial Q &amp; A from &quot;The Whole Damn System is Guilty&quot;</a></h2> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-image media-youtube-17"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="620" height="480" title="Partial Q &amp; A from &quot;The Whole Damn System is Guilty&quot;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qMYzmydHopw?wmode=opaque&controls=" name="Partial Q &amp; A from &quot;The Whole Damn System is Guilty&quot;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Partial Q &amp;amp; A from &amp;quot;The Whole Damn System is Guilty&amp;quot;</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;"><strong>"They think it's a game, they think it's a joke!" Ferguson organizers speak!</strong></span></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><div class="media media-element-container media-drupalimc_large"><div id="file-10482" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/10482">&quot;They think it&#039;s a game, they think it&#039;s a joke!&quot; Ferguson organizers speak!</a></h2> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-image media-youtube-18"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="620" height="480" title="&quot;They think it&#039;s a game, they think it&#039;s a joke!&quot; Ferguson organizers speak!" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qry8dEN1VL0?wmode=opaque&controls=" name="&quot;They think it&#039;s a game, they think it&#039;s a joke!&quot; Ferguson organizers speak!" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of &amp;quot;They think it&amp;#039;s a game, they think it&amp;#039;s a joke!&amp;quot; Ferguson organizers speak!</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong>Danielle Ponder sings after organizers from Ferguson, MO share experiences with Rochester</strong></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><div class="media media-element-container media-drupalimc_large"><div id="file-10479" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/10479">Danielle Ponder sings after organizers from Ferguson, MO share experiences with Rochester</a></h2> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-image media-youtube-19"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="620" height="480" title="Danielle Ponder sings after organizers from Ferguson, MO share experiences with Rochester" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OyHThwSsrY8?wmode=opaque&controls=" name="Danielle Ponder sings after organizers from Ferguson, MO share experiences with Rochester" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Danielle Ponder sings after organizers from Ferguson, MO share experiences with Rochester</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong>Solidarity Demonstration in Nazareth : Ferguson to Palestine</strong></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><div class="media media-element-container media-drupalimc_large"><div id="file-12607" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/12607">Solidarity Demonstration in Nazareth Ferguson to Palestine</a></h2> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-image media-youtube-20"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="620" height="480" title="Solidarity Demonstration in Nazareth Ferguson to Palestine" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AboRlAFV40w?wmode=opaque&controls=" name="Solidarity Demonstration in Nazareth Ferguson to Palestine" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Solidarity Demonstration in Nazareth Ferguson to Palestine</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;">The <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/09/22/colgate-roch-rescinds-speaker-offer/72609700/"><em>Democrat &amp; Chronicle </em>reported in a September 22 article</a> the rationale for the school's actions: </span></div> <blockquote><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> <p>In explaining the divinity school's position, Colgate Rochester President Marvin McMickle issued a statement to students at the divinity school on Tuesday, saying that many of them were aware of the lecture by Hagler sponsored by Witnessing for Palestine.</p> <p>But, McMickle went on to say,"after certain concerning facts came to light and after consultation with other members" of the divinity school's administration,  he notified Witnessing for Palestine that "we are no longer prepared to allow this lecture to take place" on campus.</p> <p>Death threats made to Hagler also became an issue.</p> <p>"When we heard about the threats, we stated the need for additional security and we would not provide it," said Thomas McDade Clay, vice president for institutional advancement at Colgate Rochester. And he said the decision to cancel was made on Friday, after it appeared that Witnessing for Palestine would not provide funds for security.</p> <p>McMickle's statement notes that the divinity school "has been supportive of Palestinian people and publicly critical of the ways by which the State of Israel suppresses the legitimate rights of Palestine,"</p> <p>But in the case of other speakers, the divinity school either knew the invited speakers or was familiar with their messages,</p> <p>"Sadly, in this case neither we nor Christians Witnessing for Palestine did an adequate job of vetting and reviewing the particular speaker's message and recent history," said McMickle's statement.</p> <p>He also said the fact that Hagler's lecture "coincides with Yom Kippur further convinced us of the appropriateness of our decision."</p> <p>Yom Kippur, which is the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins at sundown on Tuesday and ends at nightfall Wednesday.</p> </div> </blockquote> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">In an <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/graylan-disinvinted-palestine">article published on September 21, <em>Mondoweiss </em>reported</a> on the death threats Rev. Hagler had received from anti-Palestinian groups and bigots:</div> <blockquote><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Hagler told Mondoweiss that pro-Israel groups pressured the divinity school to cancel his speaking engagement.</div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><br />This past week, Rev. Hagler also says he received numerous death threats via phone and email. In some of the phone calls, Hagler said those threatening him identified themselves as members of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a hard-line right-wing Evangelical Christian Zionist organization. Hagler said they warned him “We are going to kill you in the name of Christ if you come to Rochester” and “I hope you come here so I can spit in your face.”</div> </blockquote> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span class="yiv8889822956" style="font-style:normal;">Personally, it was a disappointment to hear that <a href="http://rochester.indymedia.org/node/100202">Colgate had rescinded the invitation not only because it was the divinity school attended by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.</a> but because of its rich history of social, racial, and economic justice. But I was heartened to hear that Rev. Hagler was coming to Rochester regardless.</span></div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">According to <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine">another article published this morning, <em>Mondoweiss </em>reported</a> that Rev. Hagler had received appreciation and support since the attacks had begun. </div> <blockquote><div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">“I want to thank all of those who have worked to secure a venue, have notified allies, and sent words of encouragement and blessings,” he said.</div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Rev. Hagler spoke highly of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) in particular. They have “been tremendous allies as JVP nationally and locally in Rochester put an eye to the matter and effectively put feet on the ground to make a difference,” the reverend explained.</div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">“There are so many emails, and calls of support that I have received and I am thankful for each one,” Hagler added. “It is clear that with all of the people working together bigotry and hatred will continue to be diminished, truth will continue to be increased and the evils of racism here at home and in places like Israel will be challenged until the evils of racism and hatred are no more.”</div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Hagler maintained “we have not been intimidated, but are determined to bring truth to light.”<br /> </div> </blockquote> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">The article started by stating that the "Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network (UCCPIN) strongly condemned" the cancellation of Rev. Hagler's talk tomorrow at the divinity school.</div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Over the next day or so, I got more emails from organizers scrambling to find a new venue. As I was posting the press releases and the articles from <em>Mondoweiss</em> and the <em>Democrat &amp; Chronicle</em>, a few people stepped up to offer space. (They know who they are, their messages were passed on, and I thank them.)</div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">In the end, the organizers--<a href="http://cw4p.org/">Christians Witnessing for Palestine</a> and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JVPROC">Rochester chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace</a>--decided to host <strong>Rev. Hagler's speaking engagement</strong> at the <strong>German House (315 Gregory St., Rochester, NY) at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, September 24</strong>.</div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">I was also clued into another speaking engagement earlier in the day with the same heading at the University of Rochester. <strong>Rev. Hagler will be speaking from 2:00PM - 3:00PM, at University of Rochester's Wilson Commons Gowen Room, on Thursday, September 24</strong>.</div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> </div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;">Both talks are open to the public.</div> <div class="yiv8889822956" style="margin-bottom:0in;"> <div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network (UCCPIN) strongly condemned the cancellation of Reverend Graylan Hagler’s “From Ferguson to Palestine” talk at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY on September 24. - See more at: <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine#sthash.bUoOoccc.dpuf">http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine#sthash.bUo...</a></div> <div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">The Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network (UCCPIN) strongly condemned the cancellation of Reverend Graylan Hagler’s “From Ferguson to Palestine” talk at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY on September 24. - See more at: <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine#sthash.bUoOoccc.dpuf">http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine#sthash.bUo...</a></div> <div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">The Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network (UCCPIN) strongly condemned the cancellation of Reverend Graylan Hagler’s “From Ferguson to Palestine” talk at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY on September 24. - See more at: <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine#sthash.bUoOoccc.dp">http://mondoweiss.net/2015/09/cancellation-ferguson-palestine#sthash.bUo...</a></div> </div> <p class="pgm_date">The <a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/#post-programs">Witness Palestine Film Series</a> begins shortly after Rev. Hagler's speaking engagement. See the films coming up at the end of September and the beginning of October as well as the cultural event scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2015, below.</p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12 single-content"> <div class="section-normal " style=""> <div class="row blox-row "> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"> <div class="blox-column-content" style=""> <div class="blox-element image img_box text-center" data-animate="fadeIn" style="animation-delay: 0.1s;"> <ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/the-wanted-18/">The Wanted 18</a>, Sunday, September 27, 2015, 2:00 p.m. @ the Little Theatre</li> </ul></div> <div class="blox-element image pgm_img text-center " data-animate="none"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"> <div class="blox-column-content" style=""> <div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"> <ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/roadmap-to-apartheid/">Roadmap to Apartheid</a>, Monday, September 28, 2015, 6:45 p.m. @ the Little Theatre</li> </ul></div> <div class="blox-element image text-center " data-animate="none"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"> <div class="blox-column-content" style=""> <div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"> <ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/where-should-the-birds-fly/">Where Should the Birds Fly</a>, Sunday, October 4, 2015, 2:00 p.m. @ the Little Theatre</li> </ul></div> <div class="blox-element image text-center " data-animate="none"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section-normal " style=""> <div class="row blox-row "> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"> <div class="blox-column-content" style=""> <div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"> <ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/al-helm/">Al Helm</a>, Monday, October 5, 2015, 6:45 p.m. @ the Little Theatre</li> </ul></div> <div class="blox-element image text-center " data-animate="none"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"> <div class="blox-column-content" style=""> <div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"> <ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/the-road-to-silverstone/">The Road to Silverstone</a>, Wednesday, October 7, 2015, 7:00 p.m. @ St. John Fisher College</li> </ul></div> <div class="blox-element image pgm_img text-center " data-animate="none"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3 col-lg-3"> <div class="blox-column-content" style=""> <div class="blox-element blox-element-text pgm_extra " data-animate="none"> <ul><li class="pgm_date"><a href="http://witnesspalestinerochester.org/2015/programs/celebrate-palestine/">Celebrate Palestine</a>, Friday, October 9, 2015, 5:30 p.m. @ Asbury First United Methodist Church</li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><div class="media media-element-container media-drupalimc_large"><div id="file-12610" class="file file-image file-image-png"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/12610">haglerfeat.png</a></h2> <div class="content"> <a href="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/haglerfeat.png?width=500&amp;height=500" class="colorbox-load" alt=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/styles/drupalimc_large/public/haglerfeat.png?itok=P7Iz-Ox4" alt="" title="" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p> <p>photo credit: Daniel Ruthenberg-Marshall</p>

T. Forsyth (feature photo credit: Daniel Ruthenberg-Marshall)

T. Forsyth (feature photo credit: Daniel Ruthenberg-Marshall)