Lieberman Receives Probation, Fines

Jessica Lieberman was sentenced on Oct. 13 to three months probation, $425 in court costs, fines and probation fees, and is required to perform 24 hours of community service, in exchange for her guilty plea to the criminal charge of disturbing the peace. In addition, Judge Karen Valvo ordered her to have no contact with this writer, nor vigilers D and T, for the probationary period. Judge Valvo was very attentive during the reading of the Victim Impact Statement (repeated below signature); we hope her sentencing of Lieberman will provide a warning to future thieves and vandals.

Stephen King Falls Victim to the “Hate” Trap

“Hate” seems to be the slime tool of the day: Witness for Peace and Deir Yassin Remembered get labeled as “hate” groups by local Jews and the Southern Poverty Law Center, local signs like “Hate has no place here” have cropped up since the election of President Trump, and just today the Jewish Chronicle (U/K) labels our friend Gilad Atzmon “…a known peddler of hatred.”

And it seems we can always count on author Stephen King to ride these waves of Politically Correct speech. Having read his 2014 novel, Mr. Mercedes a few years back, we enjoyed recently watching the series on TV produced by AT&T. In the final episode the audience is taken to the hospital room of psychopathic killer Brady Hartsfield, who is lying clinically brain dead after being repeated clubbed in the head with an iron statue. Retired detective Bill Hodges – the hero and a patient in the same hospital – approaches Hartsfield, draws close and menacingly says:

“I know you’re in there. Because Hate hangs on, and Hate is all you had. They’ll bring you back someday. Sure as taxes and Christmas, though, I’ll be waiting. And I’ll finish it.”

But wait a minute. Though it’s been 4 years since I read the book, I did not remember such a final scene in the written word. A trip to the local library to pick up a copy confirmed this observation. In the book, Hartsfield remains unconscious, except for a typical Stephen King Carrie-like back-from-the-dead finish, in this case a nurse reports that after seventeen months in a coma, Hartfield awakens only enough to say “He has a headache. And he’s asking for his mother.”

Why the change? Hartsfield’s psychopathy stemmed from a mentally-unstable childhood, the accidental death of his young brother and the fact that he lived with – and had repeated sex with – his mother. “Hatred” was not a developed theme in either the book or TV series. Like George Bush’s “They hate us for our freedom”, the King-based series ascribes an unsupported reason for a person’s, or group’s, actions. The danger is that it popularizes and condones the usage of “hate” as a Hasbara*-inspired a tool to negatively label one’s opponents. For example, the local Jewish community leverages the popularity of this word and ascribes the groundless reason of “hate” to Witness for Peace’s weekly protest against racist Zionism and the corruption of US interests from the excesses of Jewish Power.

Fair Weather Counter-protester

Although it “never rains on the vigils”, last Saturday was the exception that proves the rule. Three vigilers, plus counter-protester Sue started the day, but after umbrellas were deployed, Sue couldn’t take the figurative “heat” and got out of the kitchen. She reposed to the synagogue’s porch for shelter for some time, then threw in the towel and entered her literal sanctuary. What’s she gonna do in February?

*- Hasbara Handbook: Promoting Israel on Campus https://www.middle-east-info.org/take/wujshasbara.pdf

Comments?
Henry Herskovitz
Witness for Peace
America First Not Israel
Oct. 14 – three vigilers
Oct. 21 – four vigilers
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VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT
October 13, 2017

Sentencing Judge: KAREN VALVO
Date of Sentencing: Oct. 13, 2017
People of the State of Michigan v. JESSICA LIEBERMAN
Docket No: 17-0520-SM
Name of Victim: HENRY HERSKOVITZ

Pre-sentencing statement of Victim:

Honorable Ms. Valvo:

I thank the Court and the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office for allowing me to make this statement on behalf of myself and our political group, Witness for Peace.

I also wish to convey thanks to Assistant Prosecutor Lou Danner and Victim Right’s Advocate Lea Donoghue for taking the time to meet with me. The stated goal of that meeting was to improve relations between Witness for Peace and the Prosecutor’s office; I believe that goal was achieved and hope relations remain at the current level. We would like to underscore Mr. Danner’s observation that we are a peaceful gathering of citizens and that peace was disturbed by the actions of Ms. Lieberman.

The Victim Impact Statement form asks for a list of physical injuries suffered as a result of Ms. Lieberman’s crime, and also for property loss. Perhaps this is unusual for a victim statement, but in either case, neither myself nor members of Witness for Peace suffered injuries nor property loss. There was property damage, but no loss per se. There was no emotional trauma or injury sustained by myself nor members of the group.

But I would ask the Court to consider that we sustained harm in the sense that our First Amendment rights were under attack by the actions of the Defendant. Although Ms. Lieberman is not responsible for the following, I feel it is important that the Court understand our perspective on this issue of freedom of expression.

Our group has been spat upon, had cars run at us, protestors slapped, a camera shoved into the face of a protestor, signs stolen. We have been physically stalked by a specific individual. In all these cases, the Ann Arbor Police Department performed their duties in an excellent manner, preparing and delivering detailed reports. Until this case, there has been no trial or sentencing for any of the perpetrators of the above offenses.

I repeat that we do not hold Ms. Lieberman accountable for any of the above crimes. I have listed them only to show the duty I have to our group to vigilantly protect the short time we have each week to deliver our messages.

We are thankful for our Constitution’s First Amendment rights that protects our freedom to deliver these messages. I would suggest that the First Amendment is a right cherished by both citizens and the government itself. Certainly, it is cherished by myself and Witness for Peace. As we stand on the public sidewalks and lawn extensions every week, I am appreciative of this right.

As for our thoughts on sentencing the defendant:

It is our understanding that Ms. Lieberman is an attorney, and her plea of “no contest” to the crime of disturbing the peace will be reported by both Mr. Danner and Mr. Minock to the State of Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission. We also understand that these reports may be expunged after a successful completion of her probationary period. Our hope is that the Court determine an appropriate sentence that reflects our concern that crimes like the ones committed by Ms. Lieberman and others not be repeated. Since we suffered no real financial loss, nor expect or deserve financial gain from her crime, we therefore leave it in the Court’s hands to determine a proper sentence.

Again, thank you for allowing me to make this statement on behalf of myself and Witness for Peace.

Henry Herskovitz
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
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Judeo-Christian Dissonance

In this multi-media report, we reflect upon the difference between a Christian response to our vigils and a Jewish one. Understanding that a data set of one is not conclusive of anything, it does appear interesting.

Here’s the back story: About a year ago our vigils themselves were protested by one woman. Anne C. sits every week next to us and holds a sign reading “God Loves Israel” and carries two Israeli flags. Filled with the Christian spirit of friendship and forgiveness, Anne has brought brownies to share with us, and delivered a full tin of Christmas cookies to my home last winter. See our latest pleasant conversation filmed this Saturday here.

Now contrast her friendliness with the hostility presented by Joanna Friedman, Jewish daughter of counter-protester Sarah Friedman, here. Can we attribute the difference in reaction to cultural influences? When does a culture (nurture) of exclusivism and victimhood morph into an aggressive nature? And the complimentary question: when does a culture of inclusiveness, forgiveness and do-unto-others become secondhand and morph into an understanding nature?

Perhaps our friend Gilad Atzmon would favor us with a comment on this situation?

Eat-a-Cheeseburger Day

Our guest celebrity vigiler Michael Rabb of Paris, France, flew in for our September 30 vigil, which coincided with the annual Bill Henry Eat-a-Cheeseburger Day. As reported previously, he wished to keep his identity private, since he was to attempt a visit to Palestine on a tour led by Miko Peled, and thought by lowering his profile would improve his chances of passing scrutiny by Israeli security.

Fat chance. Our gentile friend was bounced from Ben Gurion airport, while his Jewish compatriot – equally anti-Zionist – was allowed entry. I mean, we’re just sayin’ …

We can now publish Michael’s name and vigil appearance:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hersko/Photos/Rabb%20Herskovitz%20EAC%20Day%202017.jpg

Jessica’s Friday the Thirteenth Appearance

Readers are welcome to join Witness for Peace at the 15th District Court chambers on Friday, Oct. 13 at 9:00 AM when sign thief Jessica Lieberman will be sentenced by Judge Karen Valvo for “disturbing the peace”, a charge to which Jessica plead no contest. We will read our Victim Impact Statement (to be published in our next report) at that time. The 15th District Court is located in Ann Arbor’s Justice Center, 301 E. Huron St. Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48107.

Comments?

Henry Herskovitz
Witness for Peace
America First Not Israel
Sept. 23: Four vigilers
Sept. 30: Seven vigilers
Oct. 7: Three vigilers
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Fourteen Years, and Still Going Strong

Witness for Peace celebrates fourteen years of holding Ann Arbor’s Jewish community publicly accountable for their support of a Zionist (i.e. Jewish racist) state. It is with a smile of contentment when we realize how our message has morphed over the years. Initially, we organized “as Jews (and friends)”, opposed to the “occupation” of Palestine. Later, after reading Paul Eisen’s “Jewish Power” and following Gilad Atzmon’s blog, we recognized the truth in his definition of Zionism: “a Jewish Tribal Preservation Project.” We stopped self-defining as “Pro-Palestinian” and became more accurately “anti-Israel”. “For Palestine to Live, Israel Must Die” by Richard Hugus was an important and vital essay in this transition. We have learned by our mistakes. Our eyes have been opened and we recognize the Controlled Opposition in groups who have yet to realize the corruption evident in Jewish Power, and who not only refuse to discuss the topic, but clearly forbid anyone else to.

Surf the websites of Jewish Voice for Peace, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Code Pink, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Electronic Intifada, and a host of others to see if Jewish Power is discussed. You just won’t find it. Ask any of the leaders of these groups, like we did, to stand vigil with us. Our money says you’ll get hostile responses (if any at all): What? Hold the Jewish Community responsible for the crimes of Israel? It’s not THEIR fault!

But it is. And peace group members need to understand this. Malcolm X certainly did when he refused whites to join his Organization of Afro-American Unity. He understood that the racism that was tearing America apart originated in the white community. And likewise, the racism that is tearing Palestine apart originates just as clearly in the Jewish community. Why else would Jewish communities like Beth Israel Congregation fly the Israeli flag from its altar, pray for the state of Israel, and take Jewish children on junkets where they are posed with armed Israeli soldiers atop military vehicles?

Memory Lane

Some WfP members attended a meeting of a local peace group this week and it was like déjà vu all over again: they are bringing in the Jewish peace activist Alice Rothchild to further burnish “the occupation” in the minds of these good people. They will be instructed to “say Zionists, not Jews”, and they will be taught the horrors of “the Holocaust” and how they should “never forget.” And they will leave her lecture wondering: How could such an innocent, victimized people support a state so cruel to the Palestinians? Hint to all: the answer just could be contained in the question.

Reminder: Eat-a-Cheeseburger Day Approaches

The 8th Annual International Bill Henry Eat-a-Cheeseburger day falls out on Saturday, September 30 this year. Readers are welcome to join us at our weekly vigil on the sidewalks outside the Beth Israel Congregation at 9:30 AM, and to share a cheeseburger later in the day in commemoration of the man who ” … quite possibly saved an eight-year-old boy from a life of ‘Jewish chauvinism and exclusivism'” This year we will be joined by a Guest Celebrity Vigiler whose name is currently being withheld at their request, pending an attempt by that person to travel to Palestine.

Comments?

Henry Herskovitz
Witness for Peace
America First Not Israel
Five vigilers
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Brother Nathanael Attends Our Vigil

Renowned YouTube personality Brother Nathanael joined a half dozen other peace activists on August 28th at our weekly vigil in Ann Arbor. Claiming he was impressed with our street presence and decorum, he added a religious component to our otherwise political protest. Later that day he spoke at the Ann Arbor District Library to about a dozen other local activists. Brother Nathanael has a vast knowledge of world events and shared his views on Jewish Power, and historical/religious views on Palestine. Thank you, Br. N; you are always welcome back to join us in front of Beth Israel Congregation.

Jessica Lieberman Pleads No Contest

Sign thief Jessica Lieberman accepted Assistant Prosecutor Lou Danner’s plea offer of Disturbing the Peace (in lieu of Larceny, Less than $200). It was explained to this writer that both offenses are misdemeanors, and that under Michigan law, both Mr. Danner and Lieberman’s attorney John Minock are required to report Lieberman’s actions and plea to Michigan’s attorney disciplinary body. We took note that APA Danner recognized our protest as a peaceful and legal assembly.

At her arraignment and pre-trial hearing in front of Michigan District Court Judge Karen Valvo on August 28, Ms. Lieberman had the option of accepting or rejecting the plea (to Disturbing the Peace). If she rejected Danner’s offer, she would have been tried under the Larceny charge. Judge Valvo took time to read the 8-page police report prior to Lieberman’s plea.

In addition, as a Victim of her crime, I will be able to provide a Victim Impact Statement to the Court at Lieberman’s sentencing on Oct. 13, 2017. That statement is being reviewed at this time and, along with the police report, will be made available to readers after sentencing.

Eat-a-Cheeseburger Day Approaches

The 8th Annual International Bill Henry Eat-a-Cheeseburger day falls out on Saturday, September 30 this year. Readers are welcome to join us at our weekly vigil on the sidewalks outside the Beth Israel Congregation at 9:30 AM, and to share a cheeseburger later in the day in commemoration of the man who ” … quite possibly saved an eight-year-old boy from a life of ‘Jewish chauvinism and exclusivism‘”

Comments?

Henry Herskovitz
Witness for Peace
America First Not Israel
Aug. 26 – seven vigilers
Sept. 2 – five vigilers
Sept. 9 – five vigilers
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15 Apr 2019 update: Due to restrictions imposed by YouTube/Google, the first part of Promised Land – Shattered Lives can no longer be viewed on this site. However, it can still be viewed on YouTube without an account, just click here: Promised Land – Shattered Lives Part 1 of 4 – “The Promised Land?”. For now, the other parts of the documentary can be viewed on this site below.

More Americans believe than do not believe Israel was given to the Jewish people by God. But does the Bible support this belief?

The claim that God promised the land to the Jews has been a major factor in the establishment of today’s state of Israel, the Jewish colonization of the land, and the terrible suffering this has caused for Jews as well as Palestinians. But is this claim true? Answering this requires examining the conditions God put on the “land grant” and the consequences of violating those conditions.

Dan McGowan, Executive Director of Deir Yassin Remembered, narrates this “rest of the story,” citing the New English Bible for clarity. Then viewers should be better able to decide whether God gave the land to the current state of Israel and how to help end the suffering.

Does Jewish Power call the shots at Outfront Media?

On July 7, Deir Yassin Remembered initiated a possible contract with Outfront Media for a billboard in the Ann Arbor/Detroit area. Our request was met with an apparently willing Lafe Schneider, Territory Growth Manager for Outfront’s Detroit office. Lafe provided us with three suitable locations in our preferred area and even offered to provide a new vinyl “skin” for us.

He sent a copy of the contract for us, which we signed and scanned back to him. For the full contract, click here.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hersko/Photos/Outfront%20Contract%20Page%201.jpg

So far, so good. That was July 19. Then, came the iceberg a few hours later. Lafe wrote: “Henry, We have a little issue. The design didn’t get approved. Do you have another?” Yes, we had another design; response from Lafe: “That won’t work. It got denied.” That generated our question: ”Can you explain why the message fails to meet approval? Can we arrange a meeting with your management? Perhaps there is some information we can bring which might shed some light.”

Lafe then plunges the dagger: “They say it’s an attack ad. This is coming from New York it’s out of our hands.” DYR wonders if a similar sign, say “America First Not China” would have received the same “attack ad” comment from New York.

Controlled Opposition

An invitation to a local rally for Palestine crosses our desk: “50/50 PICNIC and RALLY . . . REMEMBERING 50 YEARS SINCE DETROIT REBELLION . . . 50 YEARS OF PALESTINE OCCUPATION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2017 — 3:00 PM”. Heading the list of a half-dozen organizers is Jewish Voice for Peace.

Readers of Gilad Atzmon’s newest book, Being in Time, will have no difficulty identifying this rally as a prime example of controlled opposition. Jewish Zionists create the Jewish state, and Jewish “anti-Zionists” manage the opposition camp, ensuring that the ethnic cleansing of Palestine and the corruption of US foreign policy will largely be ignored. As Artesian Royalty reminds us, it isn’t “the occupation” that JVP’s Rebecca Vilkomerson would have us believe as the root cause; rather “The root cause of the conflict in Palestine-Israel is the creation and maintenance by force of a Jewish state in a territory with a non-Jewish majority.”

Reminder #1: Guest Celebrity Vigiler

Brother Nathanael Kapner of the Brother Nathanael Foundation will join Witness for Peace on August 26 at the usual time: 9:30 – 10:45 AM. Brother Nathanael has placed himself on the leading edge for discussions on a range of topics, including the 9/11/2001 attacks and the Holocaust. He will be at the Ann Arbor District Library (Downtown Branch) for a discussion from 3pm to 5pm that afternoon. Make plans to join us at our vigil on that date and stand side by side with the good Brother.

Reminder #2: Sign Thief Arraignment:

Readers are welcome to join us at Jessica Lieberman’s arraignment and pre-trial on August 28 at 1:30 PM in the 15th District Court chambers: Ann Arbor Justice Center, 301 E Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48107.

Comments?

Henry Herskovitz
Witness for Peace
America First Not Israel
Aug 5: Three vigilers
Aug 12: Four vigilers
Aug 19: Four vigilers
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A Working Vacation

This writer recently completed a 10-state motorcycle tour of the United States and carried the message “America First Not Israel” on bike and body.

This message met with approval over a dozen times and received no negative comments. Some rather lengthy and friendly conversations ensued – including frank discussions on many of the Holocaust myths – and one pickup driver demanded a high-five at a gas station at Black Canyon, Colorado. A second tip of the hat to Deir Yassin Remembered Executive Director Dan McGowan for coming up with that effective phrase, who reminds us that the message predates The Donald’s rather porous “America First”. Just seems like our CIC cannot complete the phrase, but if he were ever to witness our weekly vigils, he’d be reminded.

Guest Celebrity Vigiler August 26

Brother Nathanael Kapner of the Brother Nathanael Foundation will join Witness for Peace on August 26 at the usual time: 9:30 – 10:45 AM. Brother Nathanael has placed himself on the leading edge for discussions on a range of topics, including the 9/11/2001 attacks and the Holocaust. Hopefully he will agree to hold a discussion with many of his loyal followers in Ann Arbor that evening. Make plans to join us at our vigil on that date and stand side by side with the good Brother.

Sign Thief Identified

The woman pictured in our last vigil report attempting to steal one of our signs is none other than the daughter of Professor Victor “Heil Hitler!” Lieberman. The apparent scofflaw – Jessica Lieberman – seems no stranger to the 15th District Court of the State of Michigan as she has been arraigned for speeding (2009, 2014, and 2016) and for impeding traffic in 2013. Now the Washtenaw County Prosecutor will charge her with Larceny – less than $200.

Readers are welcomed to join us a Jessica’s arraignment and pre-trial on August 28 at 1:30 PM in the 15th District Court chambers: Ann Arbor Justice Center, 301 E Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48107

Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree …

Daddy Lieberman must know his daughter is scheduled for arraignment, yet he persists in his typical, verbal-bullying at our otherwise peaceful vigils. This week we speak to a passerby, but Professor Lieberman senses a chance to bash this writer and our group, and interrupts the conversation at least twice to obfuscate the issue and drive the interested party away. Hasbara tactics are never far away from third category Jews. Check out this 8 minute video here.

Comments?

Henry Herskovitz
Witness for Peace
America First Not Israel
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Four vigilers
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