Update: Save the Date 9/24 | Censored Art by Children of Palestine | Tell Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) to hold show in Oakland

SAVE THE DATE: September 24, 2011
TIME: 1:00-3:00PM
LOCATION: Either Inside or Outside of MOCHA, 538 Ninth Street, Suite 210 Oakland, CA 94607
Despite our disappointment in MOCHA's decision to cancel the venue, the Middle East Children's Alliance is committed to presenting “A Child's View From Gaza,” a Palestinian children's exhibit of art to the Bay Area on the scheduled opening date, September 24, 2011.
Since news of the censorship broke, we have received an outpouring of support from concerned individuals, groups, local schools and churches, and supporters of human rights, who have offered to help MECA secure an alternative venue.
We are now more than ever determined to share the stories, creativity, and artwork of the children of Gaza, and hope the museum will reverse its decision and do the right thing!

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Giving in to enormous pressure from the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the East bay, the Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA) in Oakland cancelled an exhibit of Palestinian children's art called “A Child's View From Gaza.” The art exhibit including nearly 50 pieces by Palestinian children ages 8-14 'that reflect their realities and their dreams for the future' was scheduled to take place at the Museum of Children's Art. This exhibit, arranged by the Middle East Children's Association was supposed to also highlight the Maia murals, part of the 'Water Writes' global mural project: http://www.mecaforpeace.org/news/us-artists-gaza-over-water-crisis.

In a press release, Barbara Lubin, the Executive Director of MECA, expressed her dismay that the museum decided to censor this exhibit in contradiction of its mission “to ensure that the arts are a fundamental part of the lives of all children.”

“We understand all too well the enormous pressure that the museum came under. But who wins? The museum doesn't win. MECA doesn't win. The people of the Bay Area don't win. Our basic constitutional freedom of speech loses. The children in Gaza lose,” she said.

“The only winners here are those who spend millions of dollars censoring any criticism of Israel and silencing the voices of children who live every day under military siege and occupation.”

The art exhibition was scheduled to take place on September 24th, 2011, but was cancelled. Click here to let MOCHA know what you think about their censorship of Palestinian children's voices by sending them a letter.

mocha | museum of children's art
538 Ninth Street, Suite 210
Oakland, CA

To view the rest of the images, visit MECA's Facebook page.

To view the rest of the images, visit MECA's Facebook page.