the walk continues 🇵🇸💔✊🏽
”Wanna start getting free? Start doing more shit you love with people you love..."
Hey friends,
A couple of weeks ago, I sent an email about a 5-day, 109-mile walk I was embarking on to raise money for several organizations doing critical work in and around Gaza.
Well, that walk is still happening. It did not happen in 5 days. And that’s OK. Here’s a brief update from the walk.
I walked 22 miles on the first day. We raised a couple thousands bucks and I got shin splints. That was my first injury. Some wise friends encouraged me to walk fewer miles per day so I could take care of myself while doing this important work.
After one full day of recovery from the shin splints, I walked 9-12 miles per day for the next few until I sustained my second injury on day 6 of walking. This time, it was my left hamstring. This injury has taken several days to recover from. In fact, I’m still recovering.
So far, I’ve walked 84 miles (25 to go!) and we’ve raised $7,706! Incredible. So grateful for those that has donated, shared, and figured out unique ways to get involved.
You’re reading this email on the 113th day of the genocide. At least 26,453 Palestinians have been killed. At least 68,737 Palestinians have been injured. At least 8,000 Palestinians are still missing. At least 1,900,000 Palestinians have displaced. There are currently 0 functioning hospitals left in Gaza (there were 36 on October 7) and last time I checked there were 6 functioning ambulances left for 2,300,000 people. The IDF has killed over 1% of Gaza’s population. That would be the equivalent of 3,400,000 Americans being murdered in 3 months.
One more number for you. 95% of the people facing starvation on the planet are in Gaza. I need to write that again so you don’t miss it. 95% OF THE PEOPLE FACING STARVATION ON THE PLANET ARE IN A STRIP OF LAND 25 MILES LONG AND 7.5 MILES WIDE.
I’ll finish up the #WalkForPalestine by the middle of this week which means there is still time to donate! Even if you can’t donate, please share on social media or send it to your family and friends.
Here are a few things I think you should read, watch, listen to, and consider as we approach this coming week:
🎧 PODCAST TO LISTEN TO
I’ve listened to every episode Ezra Klein has put out since October 7. They’ve been incredible helpful. I’ve not always agreed with his guests—Ezra has interviewed some Zionists along the way—but I have learned a shit ton from these important conversations.
Recently, Ezra spoke with New York Times Opinion columnist, Thomas L. Friedman. The episode was called I Have No Idea How This Ends. I’ve Never Seen It So Broken. Take some time before the work week begins to listen to this episode. Trust me.
📚 BOOK TO READ
Israeli historian and socialist activist, Ilan Pappe, wrote The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine in 2017. Journalist, writer, and filmmaker, John Pilger, calls Pappe “Israel's bravest, most principled, most incisive historian.” Against The Current, an independent socialist organization, said “Pappe forever puts to rest any doubt that Palestinians were systematically and brutally expelled from their homeland.” In our quest to continue seeking the truth and pursuing liberation for all, this book is a must read.
📺 VIDEO TO WATCH
Now, a moment of levity. A few weeks ago, I stumbled across the YouTube channel of Anglican Priest, poet, and songwriter, Malcolm Guite. Malcolm is an absolutely delightful human. I’ve fallen in love with him! During his videos—shot by someone on a mobile phone—Malcolm invites folks into his absolutely disheveled office to smoke a pipe, share a drink, and listen to all kinds of readings. The whole expereicne is terribly endearing. Anyway, the most recent video took place on Burns Night in which he reads two of Burns’ poems. Delightful! Enjoy.
🧠 QUOTE TO PONDER
”Wanna start getting free? Start doing more shit you love with people you love and watch how your capacity for love expands.” — Joél Leon
👋🏽 GOODBYE!
That’s it for this week! Thank you for reading. I'm truly grateful. Consider forward this email to a friend? Or send them this link so they can sign up. And you can always email me about anything. I’ll be back next week with good news and steps we can take together to make our world a much better place. We have a lot of work to do. I love you.
Peace and love,
Nick Laparra