Mc Dollar

Documentary sparks uproar at Jewish film fest.

THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
by Matthai Kuruvila, Chronicle Staff Writer






The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival has come under siege after deciding to show a documentary about Rachel Corrie, a Washington state 23-year-old killed in 2003 while trying to prevent an Israeli military bulldozer from demolishing a Palestinian’s home.

Whether Corrie naively put herself in harm’s way in support of terrorists or was intentionally killed by the Israeli military is the nexus of the controversy.

Compounding the issue, festival organizers invited Corrie’s mother, Cindy, to speak after today’s showing at the Castro Theatre of the film “Rachel”. It is one of 71 films at this year’s festival, which includes two films profiling kidnapped Israeli soldiers.

The reaction has been outrage. The festival board’s president stepped down from her role, opening-night ceremonies were boycotted by some, and Israel Consul General Akiva Tor said it was a “big mistake to invite Mrs. Corrie”.

At the core of the debate are questions about how broadly Jews can discuss Israel within their own community – and how Jews represent Israel to the broader world. It is also overlaid with accusations of the “new anti-Semitism,” prejudice that is disguised as particular criticisms of Israel, the only Jewish state.

“The furor is much larger than this one film or this one speaker,” said Peter L. Stein, the festival’s executive director. “It reveals a rift in our community that we all need to help understand and hopefully heal”

Ska-p - Intifada

SKA-P

is a Spanish Ska group formed in Vallecas (a neighborhood of Madrid, Spain) in 1994. Most of their songs feature an infectious and energic vibe and feature lyrics about non-conformity, criticism of capitalism and racism, and their defense of equal justice, plus taking part in various multicultural, alternative and anti-globalization festivals.

The Other Arars Where the Exception is the Rule

The Other Arars Where the Exception is the Rule from Driss Abassi on Vimeo.

Adil Charkaoui one the five men in Canada living under a security certificate.
He was in Vancouver on June 26, 2009 for an event sponsored by No One Is Illegal-Vancouver, BC Civil Liberties Association, Canadian Muslim Union, Council of Canadians - BC / Yukon Region, Canadian Islamic Congress, and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

CHARKAOUI spoke on Security Certificates and Secret Trials and the Canadian state’s complicity in the torture of Maher Arar.

The Sutikalh Camp june 20 / 09

On May 2, 2000, members of the St'at'imc nation and their allies established a permanent camp near Melvin Creek, located off Highway 99 between Mt. Currie/Pemberton and Lillooet, in the southern Interior region of BC.

Known as Sutikalh, the St'at'imc winter spirit of the area, the camp was set up to stop government and corporate plans to build a $500 million all-season ski and recreation resort in an untouched Alpine mountain area.

Car - Free Vancouver Day 2009 Commercial Drive

June 14, 2004 was Car Free Vancouver day

This year it was enjoyed in Kitsilano, Main Street, the West End, and Commercial Drive.

The Car Free Day on Commercial Drive was a day of Joy, fun, connections, and discover for some.
It was also an open platform to the several local activist groups to communicate they concerns to the community.

Eight Reasons to Oppose the 2010 Olympics

Resist 2010: 8 Reasons to Oppose the 2010 Winter Olympics documents the negative impacts of the 2010 Games to be held in Vancouver, Canada, and chronicles the ongoing resistance by Indigenous & other social movements.