Action-Alerts

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

Published

September 12, 2011

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!

*****************************************

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.

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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.

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Hena Zuberi

Hena Zuberi is the Editor in Chief of Muslimmatters.org. She leads the DC office of the human rights organization, Justice For All, focusing on stopping the genocide of the Rohingya under Burma Task Force, advocacy for the Uighur people with the Save Uighur Campaign and Free Kashmir Action. She was a Staff Reporter at the Muslim Link newspaper which serves the DC Metro. Hena has worked as a television news reporter and producer for CNBC Asia and World Television News. Active in her SoCal community, Hena served as the Youth Director for the Unity Center. Using her experience with Youth, she conducts Growing Up With God workshops. hena.z@muslimmatters.org Follow her on Twitter @henazuberi.

9 Comments

Yasmin

September 12, 2011 at 11:39 PM

Thank you for letting us know about this truly sad story. The evil-doers can cover up all they want in this dunya but Inshallah the oppressed will be rewarded for their suffering in the Akhirah!

Reply
Pingback: Calif. museum cancels Palestinian kids’ art exhibit – Jewish Telegraphic Agency | aquatinted.com
amad

September 13, 2011 at 6:51 AM

This is what I sent to MOCHA:

Dear MOCHA,

Did you REALLY cancel an art exhibit of the works of CHILDREN? Really, children? Is the reality of what is going on in their minds too painful for others to see? These weren’t professional propagandists. These were children. And as the Museum FOR children, I am outraged and ashamed at your conduct. I hope and pray that you will reconsider this really awful decision that is politically driven.

Sincerely,

Amad

Reply
Jonas H

September 13, 2011 at 7:23 PM

Lison to the children
i dont belive in the adults!

Reply
Anisa

September 13, 2011 at 7:37 PM

This is my message to MOCHA,

We often feel sadness over occurrences in our lives that we have no control over. People use art to free some of pain and sadness. Why do these children have to be banned to show their emotions to public? I support any children artwork. Whether when they suffer from apartheid, abused, oppresion, holocust and others. Let children express themselves! Yes, even Children in GAZA have right to be heard. Don’t punish these children by not even allowing themselves to show their emotion.

Reply
Hamza21

September 14, 2011 at 12:02 AM

I sent a message to MOCHA and I hope others do the same. The very least we can do in these situations is let the organizations like MOCHA know when they so easily and cowardly crave into pressure by from Zionist groups we will apply pressure back. I hope other swill repost this story on their facebook and twitter and let MOCHA’s cowardice be witnessed for all to see.

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JohnWV

September 14, 2011 at 5:40 AM

Israel and its AIPAC minions have garnered disproportionate media, financial and political control in the United States. Seems our country, not just Palestine, has been occupied. At horrific cost, Palestine justly and honorably resists, whereas we, like donkeys, serve the Israeli herdsmen. Even if the children’s art exposes the cruelty Israel wreaks upon Palestine, closing, censoring, the museum exhibit is way wrong. It conflicts with what America is all about.

Reply
Missy

September 15, 2011 at 3:57 PM

I’d like to see an exhibit from the children of both Israel and Palestine, shown side by side. Wouldn’t it be awesome if those children were flown in for an art workshop and allowed to collaborate, play, make friends and just be children, rather than carrying the prejudices and anger and fear of their parents.

Reply
LL converse

September 19, 2011 at 11:11 PM

WOW! So, MoChA, while you’re kowtowing to the Isreali Thought Police, why not give a pollish to their Jack Boots?
Shame on all the adults. Hugs to ALL children who suffer in war.

Reply