#SupportYemen: Silence Kills

Activists worldwide are coming together on Sept 24 2011 to incite awareness, educate on the misconceptions of Yemen and Break the Silence to #SupportYemen.  The #SupportYemen Campaign   has become  the latest Yemen hashtag trend. 


What is #Support Yemen ?
 Since mainstream media has failed on Yemen, The #SupportYemen hashtag started as a way for users to use social media to raise awareness on the revolution in Yemen.


How to #SupportYemen 
First, Break  the Silence by bringing the information directly to the masses of your community. You have the power to make a change, make a difference and make a positive impact on someone’s life in Yemen by simply raising awareness and getting people informed with what is going on. It’s time our community takes action on HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS and BREAK THE SILENCE. 

Use the hashtag #SupportYemen & help raise awareness on Yemen. 

What is the Sept 24th #SupportYemen: Silence kills event?
Ali Abdullah Saleh, the authoritarian dictator of Yemen has been in power for over 33 years and during those years  he has manipulated tribal leaders and world superpowers that he is the answer to "Stability" in Yemen. Instead, Saleh has controlled Yemen's dysfunctional Democracy using  internal conflicts to draw in foreign aid and military support to solidify his power.


Yemen is a poor and divided country and since January 2011, has been a part of the Arab Spring Revolution. But even before the peaceful protestors began demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen's future was reaching it's tipping point,  

• 1/3rd of it's people were starving and mal-nutritioned.
• 43% of Yemeni households were food insecure (it has since increased)
• 50% of the children suffer from the effects of malnutrition
•  Severe shortage of water,--> expected to go dry in 10 years. Experts have said that Sanaa will be the first world capital to run out of water.
• While it may not be plainly visible yet, I would say that Yemen is on the edge of a humanitarian catastrophe," said Geert Cappelaere, the Yemen representative for UNICEF, the United Nations children's aid agency

Saleh has led the world to believe that Instability and terrorism will rise if he resigns. In truth, he is the reason AQAP's exists and  he is the man behind the economic and humanitarian crisis of Yemen. 


It's true Yemen is poor and it doesn't have much oil and doesn't serve the international community much interests, but that doesn't mean we can simply ignore it.  Much of the world's attention is on Libya, Palestine-UN BID, Syria and Egypt. Yemen's revolution is  not being televised or spoken of in the media unless it is, of course, AQAP related , causing little  communication to the outside world of what is really going on in Yemen.  Therefore, the #SupportYemen: Silence Kills event was created. 

The cries of the victims in Yemen are going silent. On September 24 hundreds around the world will go silent, to speak out without speaking to resemble the media blackout in Yemen. Join us wherever you are to  condemn the world's silence SupportYemen- Silence Kills!

#SupportYemen: Humanitarian Emergency in Yemen

.Widespread hunger and chronic malnutrition have taken hold in Yemen way before the Arab spring revolution began but the ongoing political unrest has left the country on the verge of collapse. 


The unsurprising news  of Yemen's Humanitarian crisis  amid political unrest has been labeled as the  Worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen's history by The World Food Programme (WFP)   


Yemen is desperately in need of food aid, medical supplies, and most importantly PEACE.


Tragically, Medical & Food Aid for Yemen HAS NOT  been made a priority by the International Community. Therefore  it is up to us to work collectively and demand protection for the Innocent.   We must pressure our government  to respond  by delivering Humanitarian Assistance not bullets.

Millions of Yemenis are suffering. 

If you share a passion for human rights, freedom and peace then please respond to Yemen's humanitarian emergency. The number of kids hungry and malnutritioned has intensified and fuel and electricity are in short supply. Yemen needs our help more than ever. Your donation (yes, even that $1, will save a life)

HOW YOU CAN HELP

 Yemen Peace Project   sends your donations directly to field hospitals all over Yemen. 
 Through your pin donation, Yemen Peace Project will save thousands of lives by providing Medical aid to Yemen.

Choose a button and make your donation today. 

These  2.25″ buttons have a standard pin backing for easy attachment to shirts, hats, ties, jackets, backpacks, etc. More designs will be available soon!

Choose a design and then choose how much you want to pay*

   

Horror rains over Yemen

For more than SEVEN months now, Yemeni security forces have been killing their own people with complete impunity. Yemen witnessed its most bloody days in the past three days in Sanaa,  killing over 65 and wounding over 600. Both Amnesty international and Human Rights Watch called on the United Nations Human Rights Council, to order the security forces to immediately cease their use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters.

“These latest killings by Yemeni security forces show exactly why there should be no get-out-of-jail-free card for those responsible,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. 

Some of the deadliest incidents include a 10 month yr old baby and an attack on many peaceful protestors ripping their faces in half and their bodies in pieces. 

While the US, EU and the The UN secretary general has condemned the violence, it seems they are reluctant to help and side with the people of Yemen.  Crimes against humanity continues to escalate so why is the world staying silent? This underscores the urgent need for the United Nations Human Rights Council to convene.


A few days ago, Washington Post reported that the United States has stepped up it's drone attacks in Yemen against "AQAP" ignoring completely Yemen's Humanitarian crisis.  Now, If the U.S. really wanted peace for it's nation and let's be kind and pretend it cared for peace in Yemen too,then it ought to listen to the people of Yemen and find a solution to the underlying problems of Yemen. 


Their silence will backfire 

Through their Eyes; a Photo-Story exhibition in Los Angeles, CA

Through their eyes Photo Exhibition travels to LA!!!! wohoooooooooo Don't miss this. 9/16-10/9

"The Yemen Peace Project and 118 Winston gallery host a unique exhibition of revolutionary photography from San‘a, Yemen in Downtown LA. The exhibition features over one hundred photographs by participants in the ongoing revolution, documenting the reality–both brutal and beautiful–of daily life in Change Square, the heart of the revolution in Yemen’s capital city.
Gallery hours are 11am-6pm Friday-Sunday, and by appointment. Opening reception will be Friday, September 16. The gallery is located at 118 Winston St. 2nd floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Map & directions


Proceeds from the exhibition will go toward humanitarian relief efforts underway in Yemen.
Founded in early 2010, the Yemen Peace Project is an international network of activists and scholars working to develop and promote peaceful solutions to the challenges facing the people of Yemen. Click here to learn more about us"

I am an Arab woman of color and we come in all shades of anger

Seriously are you ready for this? This is a Powerful & Moving poem . 

"If the olive tree knew the hands that planted them, their oil would have become tears."

The Road to Tahrir

The Egyptian Revolution: A Graphic Story of a Nation's Struggle Attaining their Democracy & Freedom

 

"As the 25 January Revolution got under way and grew from strength to strength, six young Egyptian photographers found themselves following and documenting the events in different parts of Cairo, and converging - as the demonstrations converged - on what became the focal point of the revolution, Tahrir Square. Between them, they photographed many of the unprecedented and startling events around the city and in the square, from the early battles of the protests against heavily armed security forces, through the attacks by paid thugs on camel and horseback, and the peaceful occupation of Tahrir Square, to the victory celebrations and the inspiring clean-up afterwards. Together in this stunning visual record they present the days of the revolution in sequence, from tear gas to tears of joy, picturing the story of determination and courage that inspired the world."

The six photographers are all young Egyptian students and professionals.

This is the first photo book that has been published on behalf of the Egyptian Revolution. It's detailed in chronological order, the 1st part documents events from the 25th of January till the 19th of March, 2011. A sequel is currently under progress. Both books deserve to be on your coffee table and in everyone's  Library, so be sure to order your copy today. They are selling out fast: The Road to Tahrir  

 

Storytelling through Photography: Raja Al Thaibani

Take a moment, take a deep breath and try to sink these beautiful photographs in .

 Stand up

 David & Goliath

Injured

Mobile Activism

Injustice Threatens

Woman Speaking up

It's no suprise that the three Judges of Through Their Eyes Art show choose plenty of Rajaa Althaibani's photographs to exhibit at our show. Very Powerful.  It's also no suprise that they were the most sold!..

Each photo speaks.

For each photo you purchase, you will be saving a life. 100% of your purchase order(s) will be sent to Yemen Peace Project, an organization dedicated to saving Yemeni lives. To purchase any of the photos click  PURCHASE ME and scroll to the bottom. Please include in the details the caption of the photos you'd like.

Side note: More photographs that were exhibited at the show by other artists such as Sara Ishaq, Atiaf Alwazir, Abdulrahman Jaber and others will be posted  as well. :)

Cairo Street Art

 View more amazing Cairo Street Art by Themba Lewis

THROUGH THEIR EYES: a PhotoStory Exhibition of Yemen & Syria

A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.  Colin Powell

I'm so excited to announce to you all that Through their Eyes, the first ever Art Exhibition on behalf of the Arab Spring has finally come to Washington D.C.! Yesterday night, (June 11) was our Opening Reception and it was a tremendous success! 


For those who don't know much about what's going on, I have been pouring all my energy and time  to do a little something that would open up peoples eyes on the Arab Peoples Revolution. The "Arab Spring" is what they have been calling it and it  has swept across North Africa and the Middle East. The brutal regimes of Yemen & Syria have claimed the lives of hundreds, imprisoned thousands, and injured an untold number of peaceful protesters.


The Syrian government has banned all foreign media, and the Yemeni government has severely limited it. Internet and mobile communications are frequently disabled – in both countries – as a means of silencing the protesters but Freedom cannot silenced.


Something other than protests had to be done. Something unique  and  something that captures. Something educational, emotional and creative. So just as I was beginning to brainstorm, the idea of an ART EXHIBIT  came to mind. I quickly knew that it was the perfect idea. All I needed now was space. I reached out to a couple of others.  Sarah, a Yemeni-American who  I  knew personally,  a cousin and a dear friend.  Rafif and Myer,  both Syrian-Americans that I became acquainted with by protesting every Sat  in front of the white house. Together  we made this dream a reality.   

On June 11 2011 we held a photo exhibition to give these protestors a voice. Through facebook and twitter, we ran a photo competition so people on the ground can submit to us their photographs. After an overwhelming number of submissions,  we had 3 artists serve as judges to decide on the final 30 photographs for each country 

guests viewing the photos. 

"Due to the social network repression, these photos were obtained surreptitiously by the presenters of the exhibit "

The Wall of Thoughts: Supporters were encouraged to write anything that came to mind from prayers, thoughts, & even quotes dedicated to those in Yemen & Syria.

The Opening Reception was incredible!  I can't thank enough Afiaa Alwazir, Mawadda Alaswadi and Ibi Ibrahim, who not only served as judges but were also the ones behind the creative direction. Thank  you thank you thank you! The other half of the success is due to the tremendous amount of supporters who came out to see and support the show.  


The exhibition explores the role of art with a political content, taking you to the streets of Syria and Yemen directly and experiencing the peaceful resistance of the protesters. If you are ever around Washington D.C. please feel free to stop by MOCA DC (1054 31st st NW Washington D.C.) The exhibition will be running until  25th of June 2011. We plan on having the exhibition move to other cities-so stay  tuned & find out which city is next! 

 Yemen's photos with  the exception of one (Abdulrahman Jaber, a Professional Photographer) are through the eyes of Yemeni Woman

You can buy their photos online & 100% of the proceeds goes towards humanitarian aid via Yemen Peace Project.   Their photos tell a compelling story of the ongoing journey towards freedom, so please help and support. In the coming days,  pictures that have been chosen for display will be available to you for purchase online via Yemen Peace Project.  so please check back soon for updates on the photo(s). Thanks for all your support. Stay tuned :)

Quantity

1 $20.00 2 $40.00 3 $60.00

                 

Because your human....

           Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. 

A few weeks back we watched & listened to a woman's desperate cry for help on Youtube. Shoulders shaking, hot tears, and tightly held hands. We knew we had to do MORE for the Peaceful Protestors in the Arab region.

People dying, people wounded & not enough Medical Aid. These people, these children, these youth, they need OUR help....

In response to the denied, silenced, and invisible, here's

something  sentimental and symbolic.

Something simple but powerful.

Something supportive of the Arab Revolution 

and

Something made with a whole lot of love.

 A  Pro-Peace Story Bracelet  & T-Shirt that speak, saves lives & unravels stories. 

A  fundraising initiative to raise awareness & restore dignity & life to the denied.

                   

How can I help?

Big things always come in small packages. 

Our Pro-Peace/Pro-Democracy bracelet and Tshirts are a way to keep memories, inspiration, and support close by, serving as a reminder of the Arab revolution of 2011. 100% of the proceeds goes towards Humanitarian Aid via  Yemen Peace Project .
The power to change someone's life is in your hands.

Arab Revolution T-shirt

Unisex Hanes Tshirt 100% cotton

Quantity

1 $15.00 2 $30.00 3 $40.00

Sizes

Small Medium Large Xlarge

Color

Black White

  100% of proceeds goes towards medical aid via Yemen Peace Project. Tshirts begin to ship on June 3rd 2011

Pro-Peace Story Bracelet

Amethyst, a stone of peace and strength.  We couldn’t imagine a better way to represent the peaceful pro-democracy movement of the MENA region than with a stone that amplifies optimism & transformation-a new a vibrant region. Everytime you wear this bracelet you will be reminded of how you helped empower the people, bring change and make history. Share the story and show your support of the peaceful pro-democracy movement of the MENA revolution by wearing a Pro-Peace bracelet.

The story bracelet features an amethyst stone on embroidery thread. Mother of pearl detail on the ends of the string. AR stamped in copper, to represent the Arab Revolution. Each Bracelet is special in it's own way, no 2 bracelets are alike.

 Handmade Bracelets made by Mawadda Al-Aswadi 

Quantity

1 $20.00 2 $40.00 3 $60.00