Thursday, June 07, 2012

STEALING THE VILLAGES



The award-winning new documentary, "Five Broken Cameras," tells the story of a Palestinian farmer who got a video camera to record his son’s childhood, but ended up documenting the growth of the resistance movement to the Israeli separation wall in the West Bank village of Bil’in. The film shows the nonviolent tactics used by residents of Bil’in as they join with international and Israeli activists to protest the wall’s construction and confront Israeli soldiers. Democracy Now speaks with the film’s directors, Emad Burnat, a Palestinian, and Guy Davidi, an Israeli.

Bil'in or Gangjeong village on Jeju Island.  It's a similar story.  Power, greed, corruption, militarism stealing the land from innocent villagers.  One of the most important things anyone can do with their life is to actively support such villagers in their epic struggle to hold onto their land and their culture.  I'm not talking about doing something for a day or a week and then moving on like so many activists do.  I am talking about making a real commitment to such a village and standing with them long term - no matter where you live.  That is real solidarity.

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