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1. CHICAGO.  “Be on our side” campaign signs appeared on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) system in early October, 2010. The four-week media program, initiated by the Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine, was a pilot project, slated for future expansion in Chicago and other U.S. cities. The campaign seeks to correct misperceptions that arise due to the one-sided and inadequate coverage of Israel/Palestine offered by mainstream news outlets. Since its first launch in Chicago in 2010, the campaign has spread to the San Francisco Bay area; Arizona State University, Albuquerque, NM; Boston, MA; Washington, DC, Portland, OR; and New York City!
2. CHICAGO.  The “Be on our side” campaign went “live” in three outreach media in early October, 2010. The CTA media campaign was installed for a contracted four-week period. The website, www.twopeoplesonefuture.org, attracts viewers drawn by the transit system ads, as well as mentions in influential blogs, media and word-of-mouth recommendations. A related Facebook page has attracted over 1,400 supporters and is growing daily.
3. CHICAGO.  The strength of a public transit advertising campaign is that it communicates “people-to-people,” bypassing the distorted and inadequate coverage of Israel/Palestine prevalent in U.S. mainstream media. Because the “Be on our side” campaign promotes a positive U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and offers supporters a way to productively engage as citizens and taxpayers, it promises to be a valuable agent for changing public understanding about the U.S. role in perpetuating the conflict.
4. CHICAGO.  “Be on our side” campaign materials appear in two versions. One features women: an Israeli student and a Palestinian teacher. The other version features men with their daughters: a Palestinian designer and an Israeli social worker.
5. CHICAGO.  Thousands of commuters travel the CTA network daily. Those viewers were augmented during the October, 2010 inaugural campaign rollout in Chicago by throngs of tourists attending the annual LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and Columbus Day festivities.
6. CHICAGO.  A press conference for the Chicago campaign launch was held on Friday, October 8, 2010, at a Chicago Loop location. Campaign spokesperson Rebekah Levin (far left) was joined by press conference emcee Rev. Cotton Fite (partially obscured in photo). Featured speaker Mai Khader Kakish expressed a Palestinian perspective, and Dr. Yali Amit (far right) contributed an Israeli perspective. View a videotape of the press conference.
7. SAN FRANCISCO.  The San Francisco Bay Area was the second region to launch the “Be on our side” campaign. Signs visible from waiting platform areas on the Bay Area Regional Transit (BART) System were installed on December 5, 2010 and ran for four weeks. The project was sponsored by Northern California Friends of Sabeel, American Muslims for Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, Middle East Children’s Alliance, and Bay Area Women in Black.
8. SAN FRANCISCO.  After posting signs in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco BART stations, the Bay Area campaign drew excellent media coverage [read articles] and even a controversial counter-ad paid for by the Israel advocacy organization, Stand With Us. Campaign organizers, encouraged by the generous public response to the BART campaign, plan to launch an expanded follow-up campaign in the next months.
9. ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico was the third city to join the “Be on our side campaign.” Three billboards were installed in March 2011 for a three-month contracted period, including this billboard at Indian School Road. Stop $30 Billion to Israel Campaign, the group that spearheaded the Albuquerque outreach, was one of the inspirations for the “Be on our side” campaign, having launched a controversial and successful billboard campaign in 2009 using a different image.
10. BOSTON.  Jewish Voice for Peace Boston rolled out the ”Be on our side” campaign on May 2, 2011 with twelve placards at selected “T” stations in Boston (Park St. Red Line shown here).
11. BOSTON.  Jewish Voice for Peace Boston activists took advantage of the beautiful weather on May 25, 2011, to leaflet near the entrance to the Park Street underground “T” station, where two “Be on our side” campaign ads were displayed. JVP Boston members reported that in less than an hour, more than 300 Pocket Cards were distributed (the easy-to-carry cards feature “fast facts” about U.S. military aid to Israel and point the reader to the website for more information). One participant reported, “people took them because they are so beautiful and they are NOT a leaflet, it was sunny and everyone was in a good mood, and we were very friendly!” Person-to-person exchanges of pocket cards are an excellent, inexpensive way for individuals and groups to spread the word about the dangerous effects of military aid to Israel, even when it’s not possible to mount a formal media campaign.
12. CHICAGO.  In May 2011, phase two of the Chicago Transit Authority “Be on our side” campaign rolled out, this time above ground. Mounted on the tails of buses that criss-cross the city, the ads were seen by thousands of pedestrians and drivers during the four-week period of the ad campaign.

13. WASHINGTON, DC.  DC Riders for Peace launched the “Be on our side” campaign in Washington, DC, with a press conference on May 16, 2011 (spokesperson Philip Farah seen here). The coalition formed to launch the local campaign includes numerous peace organizations, including the DC Statehood Green Party, Code Pink DC, Jewish Voice for Peace — DC-Metro Chapter, Howard County Committee for Palestinian Rights, Peace Action Montgomery, Sabeel DC Metro, Virginians for Middle East Peace, Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace, and Way to Jerusalem (mission group of Church of the Savior – DC: Friends of Jesus, Potter’s House, Jubilee Church)

14. WASHINGTON, DC.  Campaign ads were posted inside Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail trains for four weeks beginning on May 16, 2011. The Washington, DC “Be on our side” campaign was timed to coincide with the conference “Move Over AIPAC: Building a New US Middle East Policy,” which brought hundreds of activists from around the country to the nation’s capital, May 21-24, 2011.

15. WASHINGTON, DC.  “Be on our side” campaign materials were featured prominently at the “Move Over AIPAC” conference, held in Washington, DC, May 21-24, 2011. Hundreds of activists attended, motivated by the urgency of challenging U.S. support for Israel’s occupation. Featured speakers included policy analyst and media commentator Nadia Hijab (seen here at lectern), co-director of Al-Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network and co-founder of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. Also in attendance were US Campaign steering committee members Felicia Eaves (seated, far left) and Phyllis Bennis (center)

16. WASHINGTON, DC.  “Move Over AIPAC” was timed to coincide with the annual policy meeting of AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, in Washington, DC. On Sunday, May 22, 2011, demonstrators gathered outside the AIPAC event with “Be on our side” signs and other messages promoting peace, justice, and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel.

17. WASHINGTON, DC.  A rolling billboard circulated for hours in the vicinity of the AIPAC annual conference on Sunday, May 22, 2011. The “Be on our side” campaign was proud to be among the 100 organizations endorsing the “Move Over AIPAC” conference. The gathering combined people power and creative outreach to demand a new U.S. policy toward Palestine/Israel—a policy that upholds freedom, justice and equality—not AIPAC’s policy of securing U.S. support for Israel’s  occupation of Palestinian land and violations of Palestinian rights.

18. CHICAGO.  Chicago organizers rolled out phase three of their transit system campaign during the month of August, 2011, on Red and Blue Line CTA trains. Activists understand that apathy and bias can be transformed only through sustained exposure to credible, well-documented information. This version of the “Be on our side” in-train signs includes a QR code, which directs smartphone users to the TwoPeoplesOneFuture.org website.

19. CHICAGO.  Riders waiting at the Jackson Street stop on the CTA Blue Line—among the tens of thousands who ride the system daily—saw the “Be on our side” message during August, 2011. Two other stations in Chicago’s busy downtown “Loop” (Blue/Washington and Red/Monroe) also featured campaign ads.

20. CHICAGO.  Illinois Senator Mark Kirk’s extreme positions on Israel/Palestine were highlighted in an action at Chicago’s Daley Plaza on August 18, 2011, organized by the Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine. Here, activists speak with an interested passerby, one of hundreds who accepted an informative flyer about Kirk’s shameful activities. Learn more and see CJPIP’s hot new YouTube video about Senator Kirk here!

21. CHICAGO.  Under the approving eye of Picasso’s Daley Plaza sculpture, constituents of Illinois Senator Mark Kirk gather to out the Senator for his appalling, egregious statements and policy positions. In 2010, Kirk received more pro-Israel PAC contributions ($115,304) than any other candidate for Congress. His career total is $336,386—tenth among all senators. That’s a jaw-dropping figure, given that Kirk has been a senator for less than a year!
22. SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA.  Buoyed by the success of their initial “Be on our side” ad campaign in December, 2010 (photos 7 and 8, above), Bay Area activists worked with the Chicago campaign hub to develop an exciting new ad featuring Israeli activist Jeff Halper and Palestinian activist Salim Shawamreh. Riders on the Powell Street cable car were treated to an early look at the ad on August 23, 2011. BART riders will also be able to view the ad at four locations on the regional transit system. Learn more by visiting the Bay Area campaign webpage and reading the press release!
23. PORTLAND, OREGON.  Activists gather to celebrate the launch of Portland’s own “End U.S. military aid to Israel” campaign with a Kick-Off rally on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. The Portland campaign is sponsored by Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights; Jewish Voice for Peace Portland Chapter; National Lawyers Guild Portland Chapter; Lutherans for Justice in the Holy Land; Friends of Sabeel-North America; and Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights.
24. PORTLAND, OREGON.  The intrepid Portland team achieved an eye-popping “Be on our side” campaign first—a super-sized ad scaled to cover the entire back-side of a city bus! The ad hit the streets in early September and will roll for 90 days. Speaking about the campaign, Portland activists say, “We are optimistic that this powerful message will help citizens of Portland become informed and aware of the need for change in American policy with Israel.” Donate to help fund the extension of the campaign!
25. NEW YORK, NEW YORK.  The “Be on Our Side-NYC” Campaign – supported and endorsed by a wide range of groups from social justice and interfaith communities – launched a month-long advertisement campaign on September 5, 2011 on the largest metro system in the United States. 25 platform poster ads in subway stations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx feature Israelis and Palestinians who want to live together in peace with justice for themselves and their children. Outreach activities including leafleting are complementing the advertising campaign.
26. NEW YORK, NEW YORK.  New York’s campaign launch has attracted more media attention than previous campaigns in other cities. Pamela Geller, notorious for her shrill promotion of anti-Muslim bigotry and incitement, launched a broadside at the campaign on her blog Atlas Shrugs. Coverage elsewhere, such as a September 15, 2011 fair-minded article in the Jerusalem Post, reported on the campaign reported objectively.
27. NEW YORK, NEW YORK.  MTA riders passing through the station at 43rd-44th Streets at 8th Avenue are among the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who will get a view of “Be on our side” campaign ads during their month-long run. In addition, campaign activists will have a presence throughout the city to distribute printed campaign literature explaining the dangerous and damaging consequences of U.S. military aid to Israel.
28. NEW YORK, NEW YORK.  Supporters of the “Be on Our Side-NYC” campaign gathered at Union Square on September 8 to distribute leaflets and pocket cards explaining the urgency of ending U.S. military aid to Israel. Organizers of the month-long campaign of subway concourse posters and street-level leaflets have found many fellow New Yorkers interested in and receptive to learning more about the issue.
  29. SAN FRANCISCO. In an exemplary demonstration of persistence in messaging, San Francisco Bay Area activists launched a third roll-out of their “Be on our side” campaign, this time on articulated buses (popularly known as “bendy buses”) operated by the San Francisco Muni system. Beginning September 26, ads featuring Salim Shawamreh and Jeff Halper appeared on fourteen buses running routes throughout the region. The ads are scheduled to roll through October 23, 2011.
  30. WASHINGTON, DC. DC Riders for Peace launched phase two of their “Be on our side” transit campaign in a big way on November 14, 2011. Campaign posters will be featured for four weeks inside more than 600 Metrobuses as they navigate a large geographic area in and around the nation’s capital. DC Riders for Peace is a coalition of nine pro-justice, pro-human rights organizations in the greater Washington DC region.
31. WASHINGTON, DC.  In conjunction with the spectacular launch of phase two of their “Be on our side” ad campaign, DC Riders held a press conference on November 17, 2011 at Freedom Plaza (13th St. & Pennsylvania Ave. NW), the site of DC’s own “Occupy” encampment. While 600 buses belonging to the DC-area Metrobus fleet traversed the region inviting riders to take action for peace and justice, DC Riders campaign organizers demonstrated the important link between Israel’s occupation and the economic and social justice message of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
  32. SAN FRANCISCO. Bay Area activists broke a “Be on our side” campaign record as they launched phase four of their ongoing project to inform the American public about the urgent importance of ending U.S. military aid to Israel. This strategically placed campaign ad appeared on December 5, 2011 in the BART Civic Center station and will provide food for thought to transit system users for the next four weeks. Because of widespread ignorance and apathy among U.S. taxpayers about the disastrous consequences of U.S. financial support for Israeli policies, “Be on our side” campaigns across the U.S. are working for persistence in messaging through repeat ad campaigns and on-the-street informational leafletting. 
  33. SAN FRANCISCO. Using purchased mass advertising in public spaces, the “Be on our side” campaign works to transcend the information barrier posed by selective and distorted media coverage of the Palestine issue. All day, every day, buses like the one pictured here cover miles of roads in the East Bay area of San Francisco, bringing the “end military aid to Israel” message to the people. As of December 5, 2011, fifteen AC Transit buses will proudly feature photos of Palestinian activist Salim Shawamreh and Israeli activist Jeff Halper inviting bystanders to stop standing by while their tax dollars fund brutality and religious/ethnic discrimination.
34. WASHINGTON, DC. On December 14, 2011, DC Riders activists greeted travelers at the King Street Metro station in Alexandria, VA, to promote dialogue about the role of U.S. taxpayer money in sustaining the violence and dispossession that are a daily feature of the Israeli occupation. Participating Riders reported various responses, including productive conversations, numerous declarations of affirmation, and a few verbal attacks generously peppered with profanity. DC Riders activists intend to persist in organizing such neighbor-to-neighbor encounters due to the urgent importance of fostering civil public discussion of U.S. foreign policy.
32. SAN FRANCISCO. 
33. SAN FRANCISCO. 

 

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