In solidarity

So much going on, so many causes, so little time to blog. But I did want to bring your attention to a person and a group of people who are, right now, in the thick of working for a more just world.

You might recall that I met Moriel Rothman when I was in the Middle East earlier this year. Moriel was born in Israel, raised in the US and then returned to Israel. His number has come up, so to speak, in the draft to serve in the Israeli Defence Forces, and he is refusing. His blog is detailing his experiences (though it is being written by others while Moriel is being detained). I would encourage you to check out his blog - some amazing thoughts on non-violence, and so inspiring to see someone stand up for love and peace.

Secondly... last weekend, I attended KAIROS' intergenerational gathering called Re: Generate. (Remember Bev Oda? Yes, that KAIROS.) We heard over the weekend from members of an Aboriginal community in Barrier Lake, Quebec. The land which this community calls home is currently being clear-cut by Resolute Forest Products, and these community members are doing all they can to reclaim their land and their lives. There are many ways you can stand with the Algonquin people - writing letters, signing petitions, bearing witness to what is going on.

All around, I am inspired by those who are willing to put almost everything at risk to stand up for what is right. The least I can do is stand in solidarity with them, bringing attention to their causes.

UPDATE!

And one more to add... A good friend of mine is currently working in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She posted this article on Facebook yesterday about a doctor with whom she is working there. Dr. Mukwege provides desperately-needed health care to tens of thousands of women (many of whom are victims of sexual violence), and advocates for women's rights and peace in his troubled land. And yesterday...

On the evening of 25 October 2012 around 19:00, four armed men, not in uniform, entered Dr. Denis Mukwege’s house in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The armed men forced Dr. Mukwege’s two daughters and their friend at gunpoint to sit silently on the floor until he returned home. On his arrival, roughly half an hour later, one of the armed men opened the gate and forced Dr. Mukwege out of the vehicle and demanded he hand over his keys. The security guard on duty ran out shouting to intervene and was shot and killed. The armed men fired the remaining bullets at Dr. Mukwege, who threw himself on the ground narrowly avoiding the gunfire. The men then fled in Dr. Mukwege’s vehicle, which they quickly abandoned before hijacking another vehicle.  The identity of the armed men and their current location is unknown. 

Another example of someone working for justice in the midst of unimaginable obstacles. Perhaps, if nothing else, a letter to your MP or our dear Minister of Foreign Affairs is in order? Canada should speak out loudly against violence like this (particularly since our PM was just there talking about sexual violence...).