RIP Frank Stella

Frank Stella, the great artist passed. I met Stella probably in 1990 with Mrs Ernst and Virginia Dawn. We went to a garage that was like a car repair joint. Two volunteers Jennifer Wachtell and Jill Revson had signed up to see if we could do an art show in the village with the "biggies.". Well, in short, New York's finest artists all showed up with a donation of a piece of art. Leo Castelli, a giant in the fight against the death penalty was there. First visitor to the open show in the village was John Mc Enroe, my fav tennis player. Botero of the big folks statues was easy and sweet to deal with. I went to his apartment to get his art piece and I got to ask him re those "big people" in his art and statues.

Jennifer and Jill organized a grand meeting and all that talent of art in nyc came together to celebrate each other and the donations of art to Amnesty. I got to meet Robert d"Nero and his dad who was added a piece of art as well. Jennifer and Jill sold all the art that came in. Complete success

I believe in the arts to move the agenda of human rights. These folks understood that and gave generously.

Thank you Frank Stella, RIP

US State Department's Report on Human Rights in Israel, Gaza & West Bank

Today's (4/23/24) Washington Post on page A-14 is a powerful article re the US State Department's report of human rights in Israel, Gaza and West Bank done by its own department. A must read for any one interested in this part of the world.
My own hope re this deadly conflict is that one day all sides involved will agree to a two party state. Please, please read this Washington Post. HERE

Human rights is about hope, a change in behavior, fewer deaths and justice for all so that torture and disappearances will be removed from this earth of ours. Human rights reporting is usually solid and believable. Often human rights groups can make mistakes but for the most part they usually are right with their research and reporting.

Hope for both sides is to find a way to get to security and peace for both. So often in the dialogue of the world re security and human rights, human rights is always in last place. Hopefully, this report on the Gaza and the West Bank will move all sides to a two state solution.

Just speaking this way must be backed up with a realistic plan with all the nations that can be organized into a working committee needs to come together and provide vision and financial support that one day there will be a two state solution and peace has come to both sides. Naive perhaps, but both vision and hope have to be present as well as a firm commitment to head in that solution. Such a vision would save lives and homes and hospitals and set an example that difficult things and changes can still be done in this century by governments that work for the people, all the people.

Remembering Feryal Gharahi

Feryal passed on March 1, 2017. Feryal was intensely committed to upholding human rights and making governments accountable for their actions. We miss her every day.