Palestinian Rights Committee (PRC): What is it?

The Palestinian Rights Committee (PRC) was formed during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and after the massacre of Palestinians at Sabra and Shatila in Beirut. Several Palestinians, Palestinian-Americans, and others met and began holding a vigil each September at the Federal Building (near the Palace Theater) in Albany on the anniversary of the massacre.

Up until about 2000, the PRC was known as the Capital District Committee for Palestinian Rights. During the more than forty years of the CDCPR/PRC, Palestinians and Jews have been active members. The CDCPR/PRC has always rejected any accomodation with anti semitism. About fifteen years ago, the PRC joined the Upper Hudson Peace Action (UHPA), the local affiliate of a national peace group, to demonstrate to all that the PRC is in fact a peace group.

The CDCPR initially operated informally. By 1986, a larger nucleus had formed, a contact list created, and other events were held. During the First Intifadah, the CDCPR held annual dinners at which a hundred people enjoyed excellent Palestinian foods and comradery, a newsletter was published and mailed several times annually, CDCPR members attended the annual ADC conferences in Washington, DC and CDCPR members began publishing letters to the editor to local newspapers. The Times Union printed almost none, but the Schenectady Daily Gazette and Troy Times Record printed many. CDCPR began meeting at the Social Justice Center in Albany, bringing speakers to the region, and occasionally counter demonstrating at Zionist events.

The PRC hosts and promotes events in the Capital Region ranging from marches and picketing to conferences and movie nights. They frequently collaborate with the Albany chapters of Jewish Voices for Peace, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Codepink, etc.