CPTnet
April 15, 1999
LOS ANGELES, CA: Tax Theatre at the LA Post Office
by Shady Hakim

As Los Angelinos lined up in cars outside the downtown LA post office for
their annual tax-return ritual, they could not help but notice a giant $1
bill, six-foot M-16s and the cardboard home and bulldozer used as props
in a street theatre taking place on the sidewalk.

Members of Pasadena Mennonite Church joined Jews, Arabs and other
Christians to repeatedly stage a mock home demolition. Even as the
actors presented the repulsive Israeli policy of home demolitions,
"soldiers" and "Palestinians" alike wore white masks as symbols of common
humanity. This is the second in a series of protests organized by the
interfaith group.

The action was meant to draw attention to the Israeli policy, especially
in the context of the $5 billion in annual aid to Israel sent from US
tax dollars. The giant dollar-bill hovered over the soldiers as they
evicted the Palestinians and bulldozed the home. Participants from
several local organizations distributed flyers highlighting the
situation: "Over $50 of your tax return just went to Israel" and "Your
money is used for policies of ethnic cleansing in the Occupied
Territories."

The Coalition of sponsoring groups included: Christian Peacemaker Teams,
American Friends Service Committee, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination
Committee, Deir-Yassin Remembrance Committee of LA, Pasadena Mennonite
Church and others.