Leaving, Left
3 November 2005
I am now safely back in Chicago, recovering from a rather
intense trip.
Getting out of the airport was easy, it’s all much easier
when they think you're Jewish. They totally bought my story,
and didn't even search my luggage (which is good because I
had 20 Palestinian kafias I would have had to explain).
I had plenty of help carrying my luggage since I'm not
supposed to be lifting yet. I have a slight head-cold now
but otherwise am feeling quite well. I'm still taking it
easy, not walking or moving around too much, but I expect to
be 100% in a few weeks.
Saying goodbye to Tuwani was the hardest. I went down to
visit last weekend for my first time since leaving CPT and
the project there. Israeli border police stopped Hafez and I
on our way into the village and detained us and several
other Palestinian vehicles for about 20 minutes. The Israeli
military had blocked the road that leads to Tuwani with
rocks, and Hafez was in the process of moving them out of
the way when the cops stopped. It was a good reminder for me
of Tuwani's firm resistance despite the constant harassment.
The Tuwani villagers were excited to see me, and quite sad
that I was leaving. Since the shooting of three settlers two
weeks ago, the Israeli military has stopped escorting the
children to school. Soldiers have tried a few times, but
settlers come and stand in the road, and the military
concedes to their intimidation. There have been increasing
threats of settler attacks on Palestinians and
internationals in Tuwani, some of which CPT have on
videotape, but the Israeli police refuse to do anything to
protect the village. It was quite hard for me to abandon
Tuwani in this situation. I purchased a bunch of goods from
the woman's co-op to sell on my tour, and promised that I'd
be advocating for them in the states.
I stopped through Tel Rumeida in Hebron on my way back up
north. Israeli authorities and settlers have increased
harassment and attacks on Palestinians and internationals in
Tel Rumeida. I had to wait over 20 minutes at the
checkpoint, which is more restrictive lately because of the
recent Jewish holidays and the coming end of Ramadan.
Soldiers in Hebron have been routinely detaining young men
in the early evening on their way home to break the fast,
forcing them to either prolong their hunger or ritually
break the fast while in detention. Israeli police tried to
raid the internationals’ apartment last week, but calls to
Israeli activists got them to back off, for now. Several
days ago, Israeli police arrested three internationals and
held them for several hours. The human rights workers had
intervened in a group of settlers attacking a mentally
disabled 14-year-old Palestinian girl while Israeli soldiers
watched.
Police also arrested the Palestinian girl who is as far as I
know still in detention. A week ago, a group of
internationals had to take refuge in a Palestinian shop
after being assaulted by settlers while Israeli soldiers did
nothing. It is hard for me to leave them to face all this
without me, but I know that I am needed at home.
Bil’in is valiantly continuing its struggle against Israel’s
annexation wall. In a brave act of guerilla nonviolent
direct action, villagers recently dismantled and removed
some metal rods indented for the wall’s foundation. The
Israeli military is now punishing the village with several
consecutive night raids and 15 arrests including 14 and 16
year-old children, and three brothers from one family, all
of whom are still in detention. Villagers challenge the
raids by marching out of their houses en mass, singing and
chanting despite the late hour and dangers of being outside
during a raid, and continue their weekly Friday
demonstrations.
These people incessantly inspire me.
It is the end of Ramadan, which marks the Muslim New Year
and is truly a time of intense change for me. I’ve decided
that my work is better served in the US right now, and I
will spend the next year doing national organizing on the
domestic front. I’m starting with an extensive speaking and
organizing tour, get info on that at www.lovinrevolution.org/speaking.htm.
I’m also producing “Resistance to Empire”, a second album
with my newest hip-hop and poetry about Iraq, Palestine, and
US resistance movements, and also featuring other
Palestinian and American activist artists. It will be
released in late January.
I thank you all for your continued support, love, thoughts,
and prayers.
They truly got me through this difficult trip and helped me
heal from my injury. I look forward to seeing many of you on
my upcoming tour, and am proud to be standing with you in
our revolution.
In solidarity,
Joe "Yousef" Carr
Anti-Oppression Activist & Performance Artist
http://www.lovinrevolution.org
+1-816-805-7133
joecarr@riseup.net
