Baghdad gunmen kill children's entertainers ("Happy Family Team")

[Barrett808]

Baghdad gunmen kill children's entertainers
Performing in a community theatrical group has cost two Iraqi actors their lives, writes Daniel McGrory
April 27, 2006

FOR the crime of staging a children's show, Faud Radi and Haidar Jawad were executed by the new moral guardians of Baghdad.

The actors were part of the Happy Family Team, a troupe adored by millions of Iraqi children from their frequent appearances on television. The theatrical group and a dozen others were planning an 11-day festival to help youngsters to forget for a while the curfews, bombings and other dangers of daily life in the city.

Armed militias, which pass for the law in many neighbourhoods these days, had other ideas and set out to sabotage the event.

Safaa Eadi, 31, a founding member of the Happy Family Team, told how the group had been threatened by gunmen, who objected to them giving drama classes to children of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds at their rehearsal studios. A handwritten note had been left on the windscreen of the group's van, the usual method that the militias employ to warn a target.

"We didn't take them seriously, so we carried on," Eadi says. "The next day the building was burned down."

(more)

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18938483-16947,00.html

[RebelOne]

1. This happened a few days ago. Not breaking news.

[colonel odis]

2. perhaps they were mimes

[chelaque liberal]

3. That's bad.....

[ShortnFiery]

4. I've counted four threads about this specific topic to date ...

But I guess there's always some new angle that can seep out?

[annabanana]

5. ....and yet this is the first one that I've seen...

I guess I missed the ones before (which forum? GD?)

[smendler]

6. How to send support to Happy Family Team?

As a children's performer myself (see www.serioussilliness.com) I'd like to figure out a way to raise some $$$ for the Happy Family Team -- anybody with connections, suggestions, or ideas, please send to [e-mail] - thanks!

[newyawker99]

7. Hi smendler!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: