http://www.townonline.com/cambridge/news/local_regional/cam_artcciraq12232002.htm

Cambridge Chronicle/Tab 12/25/02

Family Relief Fund

To Hold Benefit for Iraq Families Dec. 26 at Passim

By Susie Davidson

CORRESPONDENT

“For the people of Iraq, this winter may be the most difficult one

they have ever experienced,” said writer-activist George Capaccio. “Famine, refugees, civil strife, aerial bombardment, destruction of civlian infrastructure, lack of clean water, death and suffering - these are among the realities a US invasion may precipitate among the Iraqi people.”

Capaccio’s Iraq Family Relief Fund, which he began in 1998, provides regular monthly assistance as well as emergency funding to families in Baghdad, whom the Cambridge Friends Meeting member personally knows. These families, who now face the prospect of war, urgently need money for food and medicine and, if it becomes necessary, to evacuate the city.

Local poet and activist Richard Cambridge’s Poet’s Theater at Club Passim is stepping in to help tomorrow night at 8 p.m. American and Arabic folk performers will donate their time and talents at the event, which will also include a silent auction of paintings by Iraqi artist Amal Alwan of Baghdad. Alwan, an artist, English teacher, and mother of three children, was a beneficiary of Capaccio’s fund, which enabled her to fix her house following the 1998 Operation Desert Fox bombings, and to obtain stomach ulcer surgery. She is now healed, and a computer teacher. But the work is never-ending. “To date, over 500,000 children have died in Iraq as a direct result of U.S. sanctions,” said Cambridge.

Rana Abdul-Aziz, a Tufts University senior who will read poetry at the event, was born and lived in Iraq until the age of nine until her family was forced to relocate to the US following the Gulf War.

Musician Marta Rodriguez has been active in the Puerto Rican Independence movement and in efforts opposing U.S. intervention around the world; she also campaigns for political prisoners. “Her set will include fiery renditions of Bob Dylan’s Masters of War and A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall,” said Cambridge.

Mount Ida College Professor of Communications Michael R. Brown, author of the poetry collection Falling Wallendas and co-producer of the Culture of Peace, an international exhibit of art and poetry, will also read. Brown, general secretary of the Poetry Olympics, which was first held in Stockholm in 1998, hosts the Boston Poetry Slam at the Cantab Lounge every Wednesday night.

Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee member Tareef Kawaf, who has lived in the Boston area for the past 16 years, will perform his music as well.

Capaccio, whose concern for Iraq began with the Gulf War, made his first trip in 1997, in the Quaker tradition, to oversee the effects of sanctions. He began the fund, following his fourth trip, to benefit three impoverished Baghdad families. “The fund also assisted Ferial Jabou and her elderly mother after they fled Iraq in 1998, found asylum in Turkey, and eventually were re-settled in Saskatoon, Canada,” he added.

Today, the fund includes an additional five families, who receive quarterly payments of 75 dollars. The money is either personally delivered by Capaccio or by delegates of the nonprofit Voices in the Wilderness. Donors receive photos of families as well as up-to-date information and, if they wish, contact information for corresponding purposes.

Capaccio has returned to Iraq seven more times (often at his own expense), under the sponsorship of several organizations including Voices in the Wilderness, American Friends Service Committee and the Middle East Council of Churches. “He has spoken throughout the Northeast, published numerous articles and op-ed pieces, participated in radio and TV interviews, and lobbied our congressmen,” said Cambridge. Capaccio also contributed a chapter in the South End Press book Iraq Under Siege. His collection of poetry on Iraq won the 1999 Peace Writing Award; he also received the 2001 Peacemaker Award from the Massachusetts Chapter of Veterans for Peace.

“All of George's speaking fees and donations go to the Family Relief Fund,” said Cambridge. “If his talk moves you to contribute to the Fund, he will feel rewarded.”

Capaccio will not be at Passim as he will be in Baghdad; Cambridge plans to set up a cellphone call via Voicestream. “We are also understandably worried for him, as if the US starts a war, his life will be in danger,” he said. Cambridge attended a recent prayer circle for Capaccio at the Friends Meeting house.

“Your contribution can make the difference between life and death for these innocent Iraqi civilians,” said Cambridge.

To help arrange speaking opportunities for Capaccio, or to discuss other ways to be involved, call 781-641-9846 or email Capaccio@3b.com.

Club Passim, a nonprofit art and cultural institution presenting music, poetry, storytelling and visual art in an alcohol free and smoke-free environment, is located at 47 Palmer St. in Harvard Square. Admission to the Iraq Family Relief Fund Benefit is $10. Call 617-492-7679 for reservations or visit http://www.clubpassim.org for more information.