For activist's supporters, the show does go on (Rachel Corrie event)

[Tom Joad]

Comment: This is regarding an event in New York's historic Riverside Church. Dr. King gave his most important speech there, "A Time to Break the Silence" exactly one year before his murder in Memphis. It is also the home of Rev. William Sloan Coffin and so many others brought a tradition of acting for peace and human rights.
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http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2OTAyNjkz
NEW YORK -- Rachel Corrie's legacy just might prove that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Despite the cancellation of a theater production based on the writings of the late human-rights activist, some 1,200 people packed into Harlem's Riverside Church Wednesday night for an alternate production – pulled together in two weeks by friends and supporters -- that celebrated Corrie's life and protested perceived censorship.
.....
Those words finally made their American premiere Wednesday night. The four-hour production combined video footage of Corrie, musical performances and contributions from Maya Angelou and musician Patti Smith. Rachel's parents, Craig and Cindy Corrie; U.S. Senate candidate Jonathan Tasini; and Palestinian-American comic Maysoon Zayid were among those on hand.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-zogby/rachel-corries-words_b_17848.html
Rachel Corrie's Words
Huffington Post
James Zogby

Three years ago Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old American peace activist was murdered. She sat down in front of a Palestinian home in Rafah attempting to stop its destruction by an Israel bulldozer. The bulldozer’s driver crushed Rachel, brutally ending her life.
....
Especially powerful were her vivid portrayals of daily life in Gaza. Those who read Rachel’s words were moved by the suffering she depicted, the fierce determination and passion for justice she displayed, and the hope she inspired.

The night (of the performance at Riverside Church) was also disturbing. Rachel was murdered trying to make it all stop. And yet the suffering of Palestinians continues. Hanging heavy over the
entire evening was the knowledge that Gaza is starving. The Wall continues to be built. Palestinian land continues to be raped by bulldozers planning new settlements and roads. The brutality of the occupation continues to take its toll on the lives of millions.
Political pressure silenced the few Congressional voices who asked for an
investigation into Rachel’s death. And now, that same pressure has sought to
silence “My Name is Rachel Corrie.”

But if our night at Riverside Church made anything clear at all, it is that
Rachel’s words will continue to live and inspire and disturb. That is why some
remain so afraid of the power of this young woman’s words. I urge you to
_read_ http://www.rachelswords.org/resources/rachels-emails/ them.
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Closing comment:
You may also wish to look into the work of the International Solidarity Movement, the organization Rachel had volunteered with.
http://palsolidarity.org/

The Caterpillar bulldozer that killed Rachel and has destroyed tens of thousands of homes and has destroyed so many acres of farmland in the West Bank and Gaza is a terrible thing to behold. By all means we should stop their sale to Israel which uses it for war crimes*. However, we need to say this:
Ain't no bulldozer on the planet big enough that can crush truth and the people's desire for justice and peace. The people will not be so easily put down, and in fact will again rise, despite everything, despite all the obstacles placed before us, even the deaths of our friends, this movement of hope will never be crushed.

* See Human Rights Watch
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/11/22/isrlpa9711.htm
See also http://www.catdestroyshomes.org/

[shance]

1. BRAVO*****Let this go to Broadway and be shown across America.

In its own way, it could reach citizens nationwide like Anne Frank did.

Everyone needs to read Rachel Corries' writings. They are amazingly insightful, beautifully and accurately worded and described, and heart rendering.

Rachel was an amazingly observant and empathic individual. She also had unprecedented courage for protecting those who were being attacked and could not protect themselves. Rachel saw the big picture and she could see what others in this world so desperately need to see.

She would have done the same for any individuals who were being harmed. It was in her genes. That was simply who she was. A lioness and a protector of what is good, true and innocent.

[WinkyDink]

2. A sad day for Israel, to be sure. Terrible, horrible.

[Tom Joad]

3. I think Rachel's death was not only a tragedy for her friends and family,

not only a tragedy for her Palestinian friends, but an attack on the possibility for peace for Israel as well.