Holocaust Survivor Heads to Gaza

By Hedy Epstein

December 16, 2009 "Code Pink" -- It's strange to see President Obama accepting a Peace Prize as he escalates a war. As a Holocaust survivor whose parents perished at Auschwitz in 1942, I know all too well what war looks like. I also know what peace looks like and I can tell you this: Sending 30,000 more U.S. troops to fight in one of the poorest countries in the world, Afghanistan, is not making peace.

As President Obama accepts a Peace Prize he does not deserve, it's a good time to model what real peacemaking looks like. That's why-at the ripe age of 85-I'll be joining the Gaza Freedom March on December 31. Over 1,000 peacemakers from around the world will join hands with 50,000 Palestinians in Gaza as we walk together to the Israeli border. As Jews, Christians, Muslims, atheists, and members of many faiths we will come together as one humanity to condemn the brutal invasion of Gaza one year ago and demand that Israel lift the siege that has brought 1.5 million people to the brink of disaster.

 You can show your support for real peacemaking by endorsing the Gaza Freedom March and telling your friends and community about this historic event!

 Around the globe, solidarity actions are already being planned for the week of December 27th--find one near you and join in the action!

 You can also make a peace prayer flag. Send them to us and we will carry them on the march. The peace prayer flags are an easy and powerful way to make sure your voice is present at this historic event.

Peace is not just making nice speeches, as President Obama did in Cairo when he told the Arab world that "we understand that the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable" and that America would not turn its back on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for justice and dignity.

That is why I am asking you to help us "walk the talk" by supporting the Gaza Freedom March.

With love for all humanity,
Hedy Epstein

and the CODEPINK team