palestine flags waving behind tree

KEEPING OUR EYES ON GAZA

J.T.Leave a comment

In the midst of everything else going in the world, yes, it takes work to remain engaged.

Yes, it’s not fair to you.

Nonetheless, yes, simply remembering is still one of the most important acts we can take part in as citizens of the world.

Earlier this week I was fortunate enough to be connected to Shmily Shatha, an artist from none other than Gaza whose life has been upended going on nearly two years now, yet who still finds a way to express hope through her artwork. Along with her friends in Los Angeles, Shmily is selling her original illustrations, one sticker and tee shirt at a time. To learn more about her and how you can support, please find her heartfelt message below.

A map of historic Palestine overseen by a white dove. Shmily Shatha, November 2024.
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J.T.

For the Gone but not Forgotten

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Earlier this evening a vigil and march was held in Little Tokyo, serving both as a memorial for the lives lost in San Bernardino last week and as a stand against the amplification of anti-Islamic sentiments sweeping across the country as a result.

Leaders across faith communities at the ceremony likened the hatred recently seen across so many news headlines to the same prejudice that once placed Japanese-American citizens inside of internment caps. In response, their remarks noted, coming together as one community is the only solution: the one that will overcome.

There will be more from the site on this soon, but for now, it’s an honor to share the bravery that stood up in Los Angeles through this event.

J.T.

Eduardo Bermudez and Ricardo Avelar-Lara; In Solidarity Against Police Violence

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This Tuesday evening friends and family of Eduardo Bermudez and Ricardo Avelar-Lara gathered at the corner of Hillview and Verona, a few blocks south of Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles. Both Bermudez and Avelar-Lara were shot to death by L.A. County Sheriffs Deputies at approximately 2 am on Sunday, November 16th, with no explanation as to why and nothing but their bodies’ outlines in chalk for the communities’ keepsake. Attendants of the gathering marched, called out the L.A. County Sheriff’s department to account for their murder, shared memories of the two men, and noted plans of further actions with both the local and larger L.A. community.

J.T.