Rachel Corrie

Introduction

Rachel Corrie was a 23-year-old American human rights activist who traveled to Gaza to stand in solidarity with Palestinian civilians facing home demolitions. In March 2003, she was killed while attempting to prevent the destruction of a family's home. Her death made her a global symbol of civilian protection and international solidarity.

Background

Rachel Corrie was born on April 10, 1979, in Olympia, Washington. She was a student at The Evergreen State College and a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a Palestinian-led organization that uses nonviolent methods to resist Israeli occupation.

In January 2003, Corrie traveled to the Gaza Strip as part of ISM's campaign to protect Palestinian homes from demolition. She spent two months in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, where she worked with other international activists to document human rights abuses and act as a human shield to protect Palestinian homes and infrastructure.

What She Stood For

Rachel Corrie believed in the power of nonviolent resistance and international solidarity. Her activism was driven by:

• A commitment to human rights and dignity for all people
• Opposition to the destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure
• Belief in the responsibility of international citizens to stand with those facing injustice
• Support for nonviolent methods of resistance and protection
• Recognition that civilian lives should be protected regardless of nationality or political context

Through her letters and actions, Corrie demonstrated a deep empathy for Palestinian civilians and a conviction that ordinary people could make a difference through direct action and witness.

Impact & Legacy

Rachel Corrie's death on March 16, 2003, brought international attention to the situation in Gaza and the practice of home demolitions. Her story has been told through plays, documentaries, books, and memorial events around the world.

Her legacy includes:

• Inspiring continued international solidarity work in Palestine and other conflict zones
• Raising awareness about the impact of home demolitions on Palestinian families
• Demonstrating the risks that international activists take to protect civilians
• Creating a symbol of civilian protection that transcends borders
• Prompting ongoing discussions about the role of international observers in conflict zones

The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice, established by her family, continues to work for peace, justice, and human rights. Her story remains a powerful example of how individual action can draw attention to humanitarian crises and inspire others to act.

Sources

• Rachel Corrie's personal letters and emails from Gaza
• International Solidarity Movement documentation and reports
• News coverage from March 2003 and subsequent years
• Legal proceedings and investigations into her death
• The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice
• Documentary films and theatrical productions about her life and death
• Academic and journalistic accounts of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict