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DESCRIPTION:“A Child’s View From Gaza,” is an art exhibit by Palestinian children 
 ages 6-14 that reflects their realities and their dreams for the future. 
 Join us in the courtyard outside of MOCHA as we hold an opening celebration 
 of the exhibit. In addition to  the art, the opening includes:\n\n    
 Poetry by Deema Shehabi and Lorene Zouzounis\n    Edible art by The Great 
 Tortilla Conspiracy\n    Special art activities for children \n\nIf you can 
 volunteer,  please contact sophia@mecaforpeace.org -- we need folks to help 
 us hold the artwork. \n\nAnd due to the last minute cancellation of this 
 exhibit, MECA is working on securing another location so communities will 
 have an ongoing opportunity to see this censored artwork. Stay tuned for 
 details!\n \n\n*Since this is a celebration of the art and the children in 
 Gaza who created this work, we want to keep the focus there; we kindly ask 
 you NOT to bring your own signs to this event. 
 Thanks!\n\n\n----------------------------------------------------\n\n\nOn 
 September 8th, 2011, An Art Exhibit of Children's Drawings Was Banned By 
 The Children's Museum in Oakland ( MOCHA). Much of this artwork was drawn 
 by children participating in MECA's "Let the Children Play And Heal" 
 Project.  “Let the Children Play and Heal” gives tens of thousands of 
 children and youth in Gaza opportunities to express themselves though art, 
 dance, music, story-telling, theatre and puppetry; to get support from the 
 larger community; and to have fun and just be children.   It was developed 
 to address the needs of traumatized children after the 2009 assault on Gaza 
 and provide much needed pyschosocial support.\n\nYou may already know about 
 our fight around the Oakland museum that banned our children’s art 
 exhibit. The art is just that: art produced by children as part of our Let 
 the Children Play program. Art like that produced by Asil, a ten-year-old 
 from Gaza.\n\nSeen below this message, Asil painted a picture of herself in 
 jail. Written between the bars, Asil says “I have a right to live in 
 peace,” “I have a right to live this life,” and “I have a right to 
 play.”\n \nOn Thursday, September 8, 2011, MECA received the disturbing 
 news that the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) in Oakland decided to 
 cancel “A Child’s View From Gaza,” an exhibit of Palestinian 
 children’s art.  \n\nAfter months of planning and establishing a close 
 partnership with the museum, we were saddened to learn that the children of 
 Gaza would be denied the opportunity to share their experiences, art, and 
 creativity with the Bay Area community. For 23 years, MECA has been a 
 witness to how organizations like the Jewish Community Relations Council 
 and Jewish Federation can intimidate groups and individuals who try to 
 present the reality and perspectives of Palestinians.\n\nAll of us at MECA 
 understand all too well the enormous pressure that the museum came under 
 from these organizations and their allies. But we are deeply disappointed 
 by this decision, and I ask you to join us in expressing our concern and 
 urging the museum to reverse its decision.\n\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/23/18691155.php
SUMMARY:A Child's View From Gaza Exhibit Opening - MOCHA Can't Stop It
LOCATION:Opening Reception will go on as planned!\nSeptember 24, 1-3pm \n538 Ninth 
 St. downtown Oakland
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/23/18691155.php
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DTEND:20110924T220000Z
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