Articles in Category: Amazing Susan's Blog
Ann Njeri Says People Are Good
Susan notes: I met the beautiful and amazing Ann Njeri at the Initiatives of Change Tools for Change conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in February 2009.
Although still a relatively young (she’s in her mid-twenties), Ann Njeri bowled me over with her confidence, energy, positive outlook and wit. Over a period of three days, I had the pleasure of sharing 12 hours with her and a group of about ten other women from around the world in a Peace Circle led by Jean Brown and Ann Njeri herself. It was a moving and transformational experience.
Now, Ann Njeri shares her travel and cultural experiences as her life journey continues...
Dear friends (August 2009),
“I keep my ideals because in spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart” Ann Frank 15yrs
Yes, I am with Ann Frank in this, people are really good at heart! I know this has a very questionable base- no doubt about it. No wonder people like Mme. De Staal had the courage to say “The more I see of man, the more I like dogs” I am sure you know what De Stall meant…what he felt. Don’t you? We all have seen it, if not done it ourselves!
But despite all the evils that are manning our world, society and even our homes, people are just beautiful creatures and in spite of our inadequacies, I will still fall for man other than a dog!
Although still a relatively young (she’s in her mid-twenties), Ann Njeri bowled me over with her confidence, energy, positive outlook and wit. Over a period of three days, I had the pleasure of sharing 12 hours with her and a group of about ten other women from around the world in a Peace Circle led by Jean Brown and Ann Njeri herself. It was a moving and transformational experience.
Now, Ann Njeri shares her travel and cultural experiences as her life journey continues...
Dear friends (August 2009),“I keep my ideals because in spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart” Ann Frank 15yrs
Yes, I am with Ann Frank in this, people are really good at heart! I know this has a very questionable base- no doubt about it. No wonder people like Mme. De Staal had the courage to say “The more I see of man, the more I like dogs” I am sure you know what De Stall meant…what he felt. Don’t you? We all have seen it, if not done it ourselves!
But despite all the evils that are manning our world, society and even our homes, people are just beautiful creatures and in spite of our inadequacies, I will still fall for man other than a dog!
Sarah Bainbridge Speaks Asylum In Trafalgar Square
What Would You Say To A Victim Of Torture?
Jewish Peace Activist To Be Sentenced For Defending Palestinian Homes
Susan notes: I received this e-mail update today (August 18, 2009) about Israeli peace activist Ezra Nawi.
Dear Susan,
Ezra Nawi's sentencing hearing took place yesterday (Sunday), and Jewish Voice for Peace was there with over 20,000 of your signatures. The judge will render her sentence on September 21st, 2009.
At the hearing, Emily Schaeffer testified on behalf of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), and on behalf of all the people who had signed letters in support of Ezra. She explained that over 20,000 people from around the world knew Ezra, supported him, and demanded that he not be jailed for his courageous nonviolent defense of Palestinian Bedouins in the South Hebron region-under constant attack by settlers, the Israeli army and police.
When crossed-examined, she was asked if "tikkun olam" described the events about which the hearing was taking place.
She answered: "Absolutely."
The prosecutor objected to the filing of the signatures. Thanks to Emily's testimony on behalf of JVP, and thanks to the insistence of Ezra's attorney, Leah Tzemel, the long list of names attesting to Ezra's support were accepted by the judge.
In fact, the Jerusalem Post reported on this case in an article with the following title:
20,000 sign petition asking Jerusalem court not to put peace activist Ezra Nawi in jail
To date, the video detailing the events leading to his arrest has been watched over 37,000 times.
Ezra Nawi's sole "crime" was trying to stop a military bulldozer from destroying the homes of Palestinian Bedouins in the South Hebron region.
Ironically, Judge Ziskind verdict punishes Nawi for "disturbing the peace:" The peace of the bulldozer and the home demolitions.
After the soldiers demolished the home, a handcuffed Ezra is seen telling the laughing soldiers:
"Yes, I was also a soldier, but I didn't demolish houses. There's a big difference. The only thing that will be left here is hatred. Only hatred will be left here. Very funny, soldier? That the kids will be sleeping outside, is that funny?"
No wonder The Nation called him "Israel's Man of Conscience." Haaretz compared his nonviolent resistance to that of the Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ezra's case is part of a larger pattern of harassment targeting nonviolent resistance against the Israeli occupation. Palestinian nonviolent activists fare considerably worse than him. We recall the recent arrests of Palestinian nonviolent activists in the town of Bil'in.
Eighteen Palestinian activists remain in military prison today, together with the two leaders of the the Bil'in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements: Mohammed al-Khatib and Adib Abu Rahma. They sit in military jails without bail-or are offered bail only under condition that they cease their nonviolent demonstrations.
Others, such as Bassem Ahmed Ibrahim Abu Rahma, have paid for their nonviolent protests with their lives. Last April, he was killed in Bilin by a high velocity tear gas fired directly at him at close distance.
Dear Susan,
Ezra Nawi's sentencing hearing took place yesterday (Sunday), and Jewish Voice for Peace was there with over 20,000 of your signatures. The judge will render her sentence on September 21st, 2009.
At the hearing, Emily Schaeffer testified on behalf of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), and on behalf of all the people who had signed letters in support of Ezra. She explained that over 20,000 people from around the world knew Ezra, supported him, and demanded that he not be jailed for his courageous nonviolent defense of Palestinian Bedouins in the South Hebron region-under constant attack by settlers, the Israeli army and police.
When crossed-examined, she was asked if "tikkun olam" described the events about which the hearing was taking place.
She answered: "Absolutely."
The prosecutor objected to the filing of the signatures. Thanks to Emily's testimony on behalf of JVP, and thanks to the insistence of Ezra's attorney, Leah Tzemel, the long list of names attesting to Ezra's support were accepted by the judge.
In fact, the Jerusalem Post reported on this case in an article with the following title:
20,000 sign petition asking Jerusalem court not to put peace activist Ezra Nawi in jail
To date, the video detailing the events leading to his arrest has been watched over 37,000 times.
Ezra Nawi's sole "crime" was trying to stop a military bulldozer from destroying the homes of Palestinian Bedouins in the South Hebron region.
Ironically, Judge Ziskind verdict punishes Nawi for "disturbing the peace:" The peace of the bulldozer and the home demolitions.
After the soldiers demolished the home, a handcuffed Ezra is seen telling the laughing soldiers:
"Yes, I was also a soldier, but I didn't demolish houses. There's a big difference. The only thing that will be left here is hatred. Only hatred will be left here. Very funny, soldier? That the kids will be sleeping outside, is that funny?"
No wonder The Nation called him "Israel's Man of Conscience." Haaretz compared his nonviolent resistance to that of the Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ezra's case is part of a larger pattern of harassment targeting nonviolent resistance against the Israeli occupation. Palestinian nonviolent activists fare considerably worse than him. We recall the recent arrests of Palestinian nonviolent activists in the town of Bil'in.
Eighteen Palestinian activists remain in military prison today, together with the two leaders of the the Bil'in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements: Mohammed al-Khatib and Adib Abu Rahma. They sit in military jails without bail-or are offered bail only under condition that they cease their nonviolent demonstrations.
Others, such as Bassem Ahmed Ibrahim Abu Rahma, have paid for their nonviolent protests with their lives. Last April, he was killed in Bilin by a high velocity tear gas fired directly at him at close distance.