Media Contact: Annie Koh, 415.806.3069 annette_koh@hotmail.com

For Immediate Release

IN THE FACE OF WAR:
ASIAN PHOTOGRAPHERS ILLUSTRATE ANTI-WAR MESSAGE

What: In The Face of War: Asian Photographers View Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Philippines & USA

When: Reception (free) held Tuesday, October 15th from 6-8 pm w/ cultural and political presentations.
instant payday loans faxless Exhibit, also free, is open October 15 thru November 30,2002, Mon - Fri, 9 am - 5 pm.

Who: Performances by: Diskarte Namin & KASAMA (of AYPAL) Photographers: Mizue Aizeki (Palestine), Bruce Akizuki (US), Maryam Gharavi (Iraq), Vina Ha (US), Lisa Juachon (Philippines), Drew Mendoza (Philippines), Nobu Sakamoto (Afghanistan)

Where: Asian Resource Gallery, 310 - 8th Street @ Harrison, Oakland Chinatown

Contact: Greg Morozumi, 510-287-5353x473

The new photography exhibit at the Asian Resource Gallery, "In The Face of War: Asian Photographers View Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Philippines & USA" is a powerful collection of images that capture the human face and cost of war. Community development non-profit East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) and anti-war collective Asian & Pacific Islander Coalition Against War (APICAW) co-sponsor this timely exhibit of documentary photography to reveal an Asian perspective often hidden in the drive to war. With the U.S. Congress debating a resolution authorizing a war against Iraq this week, "In The Face of War" is a rare venue of reflection and a visual argument for peace.

Located in the heart of Oakland's multicultural Chinatown, the exhibit includes photos taken in Iraq, refugee camps in Afghanistan and Palestine, and a remilitarized Philippines. " The spirit of the exhibit expresses people's resistance to war. It's a powerful argument for why we in the US should support self-determination for other nations, when we can see the impact of what the American government is doing in other countries." said Sun Hyung Lee, APICAW organizer.

Nobu Sakamoto travelled to Afghanistan shortly after the U.S. began bombing that nation to photograph the destructive consequences of this war. Mizue Aizeki's lens focuses on the children affected by the occupation of Palestine, while Lisa Juachon and Drew Mendoza captures the consequences for the people of the Philippines, when a global war against terrorism is used to justify repression at home. Maryam Gharavi highlights the people of Iraq, at a time when a majority of Americans feel like we need to continue dialogue with Iraq rather than invade unilaterally. (CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll)

Photographers Bruce Akizuki and Vina Ha document the pro-peace protests in the United States. Mainstream media have largely marginalized the anti-war movement, such as The Washington Post failing to report on 200,000 people strong anti-war rallies in Europe until pressed by activists. These series of photos highlight the vibrant anti-war movement and the role of Asian Americans who often have a first hand experience with the terrible cost of war, from U.S. involvement in Vietnam and Korea, to the World War II internment camps in the U.S.

"The rhetoric routinely demonizes the people of the Middle East, telling the American people that the Arabs want to attack us because they hate us," said Lee. "Photos of Iraqi kids with Coke or a Leonardo DiCaprio poster illustrate the irony of the embracing of symbols of American culture in a country that is supposed to hate everything that America stands for."

The East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation is a community economic development organization dedicated to the betterment of the East Bay community, particularly the low-income and Asian and Pacific Islander population, through development of physical, human and economic assets for individuals and community organizations. (www.ebaldc.org)

The Asian & Pacific Islander Coalition Against War is a coalition of Asian and Pacific Islander groups and individuals who are coming together in the aftermath of the September 11 attack. We are working to build a more just and peaceful society and are particularly concerned with educating and organizing APIs to join our anti-war efforts. (www.apicaw.com)

Photos Available

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