[statecom-discuss] Ballot: 40 % oppose ethnic cleansing ! 30 % Sanctions. Next: Tues Nov. 14th

[Ron Francis]

Ballot: 40 % oppose ethnic cleansing ! 30 % Sanctions. Next: Tues Nov. 14th
Tues Nov. 14th: Somerville Town Meeting on Right of Return.
   
  Dear Friends,
   
  RE: the GPUS-supported ballot questions in Somerrville
   
  Please forward to all points: 
   
  The preliminary results are in for our two ballot questions:  The questions did not pass but showed substantial support among ordinary Americans to oppose Israel's ethnic cleansing.  The support for Israel's policies are not as the pro-aparthied forces anticipated.
   
  Question 5 (Right of Return): Approximately 40% voted YES !
Question  (Divestment from Israel Bonds): Approximately 30% voted YES !
   
  Two years ago the pro-apartheid forces claimed a victory as only 1 in 10 Aldermen in Somerville did not backtrack on divestment.  Thats 10%.  The pro-apartheid forces expected us to get a small percentage near 10% but ordinary Soemrvillians are different than the local politicians that receive money and support from the major parties that are controlled by lobbyists representing elites as well as teh Israel Lobby.
   
  Despite the visible opposition of mainstream political figures including now Governor Deval Patrick, and Lt. Governor Kery Healey, the mayor and the popular local congressman Capuano, 40% of the people of Somerville stood for fundamental human rights and 30% going as far as favoring sanctions on Israel !
   
  That's more than enough a to drive forward a social change movement !...  Which is exactly what we plan to do.  There is nothing to stop us from growing our movement if we do the work.
   
  Two new books should also help propel us forward.  President Carter's new book about Palestine: "Peace or Aparthied", and Ilan Pappe new book: "The Ethnic cleansing of Palestine" shold also add fuel to our growing movement.
   
  We had our post election dinner and folks were pleased that we did as well as we did given that it is the first vote on the topic ever in Somervillle.  A very upbeat mood at the dinner attended by about 15 to 20 volunteers until 10 pm.  
   
  We cut the cake and everyone is geared up for the City of Somerville
  Right of Return town meeting next Tuesday Nov. 14th, 6:30:
   
  City of Soemrville Town Meeting Tues Nov. 14th:
  Last month nearly 100 Somerville residents forced the city to hold a town meeting on the Right of REturn of Palestinian refugees and the meeting is Nov. 14th next Tuesday.  
   
  Please come and show your support to reverse Israel's ethnic cleansing and apartheid objectives.
   
  The 40% showing on Right of Return gives us the momentum to go forward and continue to educate and expose Israel's ethnic cleansing and apartheid policies that deny fundamental rights to Palestinians.
   
  We believe that our 40% result on the Right of Return shows that US resident's across the nation, and not just in Somerville but many other ordinary towns, will give significant support to opposing ethnic cleansing and aparthied.  So what are we waiting for !
   
  Let's build that movement starting next week.
   
  Join us Next Tuesday as we continue to grow our grassroots movement for justice for Palestinians and Palestinian human rights. 
   
  Ron Francis 617 230-2835