Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network is republishing the statement below from Canadian artists and cultural workers in support of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. Artistic and cultural solidarity with the prisoners has been a strong aspect of international support, from developing images for social media to various artistic interventions and protests. The involvement of cultural workers and artists in this struggle is not limited to solidarity; the art of Palestinian prisoners themselves is a testimony to the power of resistance and liberation culture for the Palestinian liberation struggle and all struggles for justice:
Statement of support by Canadian Artists and Cultural Workers for Palestinian Political Prisoners Hunger Strike – April/May 2017
“Hunger striking is the most peaceful form of resistance available. It inflicts pain solely on those who participate and on their loved ones, in the hopes that their empty stomachs and their sacrifice will help the message resonate beyond the confines of their dark cells.”
Marwan Barghouti, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and leader of hunger strike
Palestinian political prisoners in Israel’s prisons have been on a hunger strike since April 17, 2017 to bring attention to the deplorable and illegal conditions in prison demanding: longer and frequent family visits, access to phone, improved medical conditions, access to education, end to administrative detention and other demands.
Numbering over 1,500 prisoners (out of a prison population of 6,000+) they have risked their life and ongoing health to gain public exposure. Yet despite being in its sixth week and entering a critical stage, western corporate media has barely covered the strike and is complicit in perpetuating this grave injustice. Hunger strikes like all legitimate protest require public awareness via media exposure to be effective.
We demand that the Canadian government put pressure on Israel to end its illegal policies and practices regarding political prisoners. We demand that the Canadian media inform the Canadian public by beginning to adequately cover the hunger strike.
Signatures:
Jamelieh Hassan, artist, London, ON
Jayce Salloum, artist, Vancouver
Kirsty Robertson, professor, London, ON
Rehab Nazzal, artist, Toronto
Gale Coskan-Johnson, professor, St. Catharines
Mathiew Aubin, grad student, Vancouver
Jeff Fedoruk, graduate student, Toronto
Reuben Jentikle, educator, Vancouver
Mathew Arthur, activist, Vancouver
Shaun Stevenson, graduate student, Ottawa
Jennifer Hanrdem, professor, Carleton U, Ottawa
Madeleine Roelder graduate student, Vancouver
Margenuy Fu, Professor, Vancouver
Ana Bilbao, London
Patrick Mahon, artist, professor, London, ON
Ashok Mathun, Poet
Erin Moure, Writer, Montreal
Sawako Ono, Toronto
Glen Cameron, Toronto
Ana Brarajas, Toronto
Valerie Severino, artist, Toronto
Faten Toubasi, artist, Toronto
Mark Brill, artists, activist, Toronto
Taryn Sirove, art historian, Toronto
Michael Farnan, artist, Victoria, ON
Ryan Toews, professor, Toronto, ON
Lilian Cavigliz, RN, Toronto
Ashley McFarlane, artist, Toronto.
Robert Masoud, cultural organizer, Toronto
Michelle Wilson, artist, London, ON
Rita Wong, writer, Vancouver
Dot Tuer, writer, professor, Toronto
Dian Janzen, Toronto
Mohamad Khairy, graduate student, Toronto
Amal Owaineh, Toronto
Kate Ellis, Toronto
Tina Benigno, graduate student, Toronto
Jim Miller, artist, filmmaker, Toronto
Chris Gehman Filmmaker, Toronto
Wanda Vander Stoop, Cultural worker, Toronto
Shawk Alani, Toronto
Natalle Dunlop, cultural worker, Toronto
Susan Dicks, designer, Toronto
Joshow Mofowad-Paul, professor, Toronto
Pamila Mathary, Artist and educator, Toronto
James Kirkpatrick, artist, Toronto
Rachel Gorman, professor, Toronto
Norman Richmond, Black Power 96, Toronto
Kinana Issa, writer, artist, Toronto
Lindsay Hodgson, Toronto
J Madsen, Toronto
Sarah Abu-Sharar, storyteller, Mississauga
Jon Short, professor, Toronto
Nayrous Abu Hatoum, Toronto
Basil Alzeri, Toronto
Karen Rodman, Totonto
Nathania Lavis, Toronto
Ineke Metcaflfe, Toronto
Orev Reena Katz, artist, Toronto
B.H. Yael, artist, Toronto
Malinda Francis, artists, Toronto
Lama Abdul-Rahman, Toronto
Rebecca Garrett, artists, educator
Niloufar Salimi, artist
Amy Wang, artist, Toronto
Polly Wang, Toronto
Ron Benner, artist, London, Ontario
David Heap, professor, London, ON
Jennifer Slauenwhite, London, ON
Troy Quellette, Artist, London, ON
Christine Conley, curator, art historian
Lorraine Gilbert, professor, Ottawa
Elain Mcllwraith, grad student, London, ON
Sue Goldstein, Toronto
