by Chris Allert

[The Olympia-Rafah Mural Project is an official recognition, by the people of Olympia, Washington, of the sister city relationship that exists with the city of Rafah, Palestine. Through the act of creating a collaborative public mural, we will express our desire for Palestinian self-determination, which is rooted in honoring the common struggles for global justice faced by marginalized people everywhere. By upholding rights for all, we seek to break down barriers to understanding, increase visibility for Palestinian people, encourage imagination, embrace the hope and courage of . . .

A mural by Susan Greene, local artists from Rafah and Khan Younis. The quote on the ribbon reads “I think it’s important that human rights and resistance to oppression be included in the way we define ourselves as a community.” (Photo by John Halaka)

Susan Greene (right) and Lisa Nessan (left) in Olympia (Photo by Ashley Harrison)

Dr Kareem Nasrallah standing where his house once was pointing to where Rachel Corrie was murdered in Rafah. (Photo by John Halaka)

John Halaka, Dr. Kareem Nasrallah, and Susan Greene standing at site of Rachel Corrie's murder (Photo by John Halaka)

Artists in Rafah working on mural that is now outside the Rachel Corrie Center. (Photo by John Halaka)

Completed mural being applied to outside of Rachel Corrie Center in Rafah. (Photo by John Halaka)

Completed mural on Rachel Corrie Center in Rafah. (Photo by Rachel Corrie Center in Rafah)

Susan Greene entertaining a crowd of curious children in Rafah. (Photo by John Halaka)