Cindy and Daryl Byler (back row, left) with young friends in Gaza.
Two EMU student organizations are co-sponsoring an event meant to challenge the EMU and larger community with the issue of economic justice in Israel-Palestine.
J. Daryl and Cindy Byler, Mennonite Central Committee Middle East representatives for Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and Iran, will speak 8 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 19, in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse in the University Commons.
The couple will focus on facts on the ground following the Israeli offense on Gaza and the larger Israeli occupation, draw connections between U.S. policy and present the need for a morally responsible investment/divestment campaign.
The Bylers will also speak at a forum 3:45-5:15 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 19, in the Strite Conference Room of EMU’s Campus Center. They will reflect on MCC’s approach and activities in interfaith bridgebuilding and the challenges they encounter in their work.
Daryl Byler, a 1979 EMU graduate, is an attorney and former director of MCC’s Washington, D.C., office. He was named EMU’s “alumnus of the year” in 1992.
The EMU Peace Fellowship and Res Judicata student pre-law group are co-sponsoring Wednesday’s program. Thursday’s forum is co-sponsored by the Anabaptist Center for Religion and Society (ACRS) and the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP).
Admission is free to both events.