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Rana's wedding
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I was invited by the 'Palestinian 18 Solidarity' association
to animate a debate in 'les 3 Luxembourg' Theatre. I cannot
refuse to help the Palestinian cause. So, after the demonstration
against war on Iraq, I went to the theatre to see the movie "
Rana's Wedding " before the debate. |
I like this movie that I was watching for the first time
with the other spectators, mostly students at the Sorbonne. Rana
decides to get married, to stay in Jerusalem and not to leave
for Egypt with her father at 4pm. Then a wild race starts. A
race against time and numerous obstacles. Everytime an obstacle
is surmounted, another presents itself and time flies inexorably.
But at the last moment, the wedding will be held ! A note of
hope showing that in the end the Palestinians will overcome.
They will surmount all obstacles and one day, they will be able
to rejoyce and celebrate.
When it was time for the debate, it was a joy for me to
see that Youssef was to animate the debate with me. We were in
the same delegation in Palestine. Youssef is a passionate and
wonderful man. I had greatly appreciated two of his comments.
One concerning the check points : " the purpose of these
check points is not to prevent people from passing because everybody
finally succeeds to pass through them.
What the soldiers want is to break human and social ties of
the Palestinians. They break the usual ties to isolate them even
more". |
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The other concerned the settlers: " they know this
will never be their homeland. Whatever they do and whatever they
say, they are on a land that is not their own. And that is why
they live within themselves a perpetual sense of insecurity".
All in all, it was a great evening. |
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- GMO = danger
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- It was 6:30am, place de la Nation in Paris. A group of
around fifty people were assembled: movie producers, actors,
scientists, elected representatives
in the silence of the
capital still a sleep. We climbed aboard vehicles for an unknown
destination with only one objective: it is to do something for
José Bové and militant farmers condemned to heavy
penalties in prison.
Like almost three quarters of the Europeans, we do not want
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), nor in the fields transformed
in laboratories, nor in our plates. |
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- We believe it is dangerous for health and the environment
and we are asking for a real democratic debate on the subject.
Close to 10am, a long convoy of cars is driving across Châlons-en-Champagne
to go to fields spreading out as far as the eye can see with
dots of snow. We stop at the Cetion Institute where tests are
being made on transgenic colza.
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We symbolically uproot some plants to plant ones that are
" natural ", making the same gesture that José
Bové and his friends had done. |
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- Will it be our lot also ? We leave these desolated lands
without having seen the police.
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What is Christmas for the
illegal refugees?
On the Saturday afternoon before Christmas, as crowds gathered
in the Department Stores of Galeries Lafayette in Paris, the
illegal refugees wanted to show that they exist. I walked among
them on the boulevard, at the sound of the tomtoms, with spread
out banners. The crowd was not looking at the window shops anymore
but at this strange procession of Africans that was going by.
As in front of the walls of Jericho, we went many times around
the block, under the eyes of the police.
At a given time, the demonstrators stopped in front of
Saint Louis d'Antin Church. Many went up the stairs to speak.
Immediately the large doors of the Church were closed to prevent
an apprehended invasion. But it was not the case. All that was
intended was to occupy space in the street.
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On top of the stairs, a militant was holding a poster on which
it was written: " Jesus welcomed strangers , the Church
evicts them ". |
Let us explain that the day before, on the request of the
parish priests, the police force had expelled foreigners form
two churches.
Next to the stairs a group was loudly singing Christmas
carols at the microphone to cover up the voice of the illegal
refugees. What were these ones saying? : " At Christmas,
we will not be as joyful as you because we are far away from
our families, our land and our villages. We are deprived of our
fundamental rights: work, lodging, liberty to circulate
We
fight relentlessly to get our status regularised. How can you
celebrate Christmas if there is no place for us? ". |
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Support to the Roms
The support Committee to the Roms of Achères( in
the neighbourhood of Paris) had invited me to meet with authorities
of the city to find a solution to this difficult situation. I
asked to meets the Roms on location.
With the Mayor, a City councillor, reporters, television
crews, we engage on a communal road almost impassable for vehicles.
To arrive at the camp of the Roms, we had to walk on soil covered
with litter and totally muddy. I discovered with desolation how
200 men, women and children live in trailers in bad condition
or in shacks built any old way. I am greeted by these families
who have been surviving here for the last year and a half ! Some
have no heating. One of the two generators does not work and
half of the Roms have no light. I cannot get used to this misery.
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I went to see a woman who has a baby of three weeks. This
infant has a lot of love and yet this family lacks of everything!
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The closest villages are the richest that can be. How can
they tolerate such a scandal at their doorstep ? |
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Partenia: a window on the
planet |
On January 13 2003, Partenia (a virtual diocese) has celebrated
its 7th anniversary. Internet is a liaison between Partenia and
the whole world. The free voice of Partenia "on line"
is heard. It creates responses, provokes reactions and starts
dialogues.
You are many to visit our site: believers of different
religions, agnostics, atheists, libertarians, people searching
God... Schools and universities complete the mosaic of Internet
surfers
At the end of the year, we were honoured to learn
that the prestigious "Harvard Business School" has
integrated our site on their curriculum!
The virtual diocese is not just a one way. In the forum, through
chat and E-mails many people start a dialogue with us. |
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Surfers from South America, Eastern Europe join our friends
from Europe, America, Canada and Australia. Africa is also present.
Partenia is not an unknown desert.
With the help of friends and volunteers, it is possible to bring
Partenia alive in seven languages. The number of surfers increases
constantly. The monthly average has passed from 7000 to 45000.
We take this opportunity to thank all our volunteer friends for
all their loyalty. May this vast network be a sign of the humanity
of tomorrow. |
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