"My Name is Rachel Corrie" - Democracy Now! Debate.

[Tom Joad]

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/03/22/1435259

Full Headline:
"My Name is Rachel Corrie" - A Debate Over Why the Play is Not Opening in New York

Please see the full article, you can even watch with a click of a mouse.

There is also this:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/03/22/1436203

Rachel Corrie's Parents React to New York Theater's Postponement of a Play Based on Their Late Daughter's Words

I want to link also to what Craig Corrie says on the show.
From Democracy Now!:
CRAIG CORRIE: I guess I would urge Mr. Nicola to go to the U.S. State Departments' website, and on there you can find the human rights reports for the last three years. There, Rachel is listed as a human rights observer. Her killing, of course, is a human rights violation and is listed in their report, but under an observer of human rights, and that's how our State Department and our government looks at Rachel.

He also points out, that despite allegations on the web and even by some in these forums, that the Nasarallah family (the home Rachel was protecting) was supporting terrorists. In fact, it is the US State Dept who worked with Israeli government and granted this family visas to tour the United States. There is no credible source that suggests that this family was supporting terrorists, was being paid by terrorists.


From the U.S. State Department
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61690.htm
On March 16, 2003, an Israeli bulldozer clearing land in Rafah in the Gaza Strip crushed and killed Rachel Corrie, 23, a US citizen peace activist. Corrie was standing in front of the bulldozer and was wearing a reflective vest. Eyewitness demonstrators stated that they believe the driver knew Corrie was in front of the bulldozer as he proceeded forward. IDF investigations concluded that the operator was not negligent. US officials who have seen the IDF report found inconsistencies among the statements of those observing the incident. Some observers continue to raise questions concerning whether the investigation was thorough, credible, and transparent, and the Corrie family continued to pursue the case. In conjunction with the report of the IDF Judge Advocate General, the IDF implemented two remedial procedures for improved safety: the presence of more senior officers to oversee such operations and the designation of closed military zones with orders forbidding the presence of civilians in areas where IDF military operations are conducted.
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It should be noted, if it is not readily known, that there has been no independent investigation apart from the IDF investigation. Yet in this case, how could we accept the final word of the entity that caused the death, either by accident or otherwise?

Tonight, at historic Riverside Church in New York city (where Martin Luther King gave one of his best speeches "A time to break the silence"), there will be a very special event.
These are some of the people participating:
* Participating by video or statement Maya Angelou will read an email of Rachel’s by video,
* Patti Smith will perform “Peaceable Kingdom” dedicated to Rachel by video,
* Eve Ensler (Vagina Monologues).
* Vanessa Redgrave
* Mariam Said (wife of the late Dr. Edward Said)
* Najla Said
* Alice Walker
* Howard Zinn

For more info:
http://www.rachelswords.org/

I have no doubt that in a decade, while many people in the years and decades to come will remember the name Ariel Sharon, the great mass of people on this planet will have much more respect for Rachel Corrie's work and her short but meaningful life, along with the many who continue the nonviolent struggle for justice in Israel/Palestine.

As Delores Huerta (co-founder of the United Farm Workers) sent word last week to a gathering in memory of Rachel in Oakland:

In solidarity with the struggle for peace and justice,
Viva Rachel! Viva la paz! Viva Cesar Chavez!
Si, se puede.