Hey People,
I am posting this flyer/event because this documentary is screening only for one night in Toronto. I have not seen this documentary but I think it might engage some important issues. In any case, it should be interesting what some British students do in Kenya. Anyways, that’s my disclaimer. Contact information for the documentary is listed below.
Mark
Contact: Abdishukri Omar
Tel: 416.884.2812
Cell Phone: 647.215.9998
Email: info@silentcry.co.uk
BURIED BY BRUTALITY
Silent Cry
A desiccated, little-known region in south-eastern Ethiopia: this is Ogaden. Bordering on Somalia, it is populated mainly by Somali nomads. It’s very sad that for the rest of the world it’s nothing but a dark speck on the map. Nobody hears about Ogaden. People are simply killed, robbed, mistreated and nobody hears anything about it. The lack of reporting tells the Ogadenis that they’re of less value because nobody cares what happens to them. And the feeling overcomes them that they don’t belong among citizens of the world. When 500 Ogadenis are murdered, there’s complete silence. The world community is wholly ignorant of events in the region.
Thanks, to a group of young passionate British students who’s initial purpose was to vacation in Kenya, altered their holiday intentions after they had met “Omar” a local Taxi Driver with a story that changed their lives forever; we now can see the hidden truth shown in the strong documentary, “Silent Cry” a milestone event for Ogadenis, made possible through S.U.S Visions, presenters of 89.6 FM radio in London who’s long been the most popular broadcast frequency in popularity; whose remarkable vision of trying to expose some of the most serious problems in Ogaden through interviews, have led them to advocate for many people whose voices would otherwise be unheard.
From running down true story leads to interminable rides on rough roads in cheap cars with suspensions worn away a few hundred thousand kilometers ago, their journey finally proved fruitful when it finally brought them to IFO Refugee Camp in Kenya. Where they filmed and interviewed the locals who had fled from ongoing pattern of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Ogaden region. People said they had been brutalized by government troops. They described a widespread and longstanding reign of terror, with Ethiopian soldiers gang-raping women, burning down huts and killing civilians at will.
Though it is impossible to describe in simple language the anguish and tragedy these people have been through, the team hopes that this documentary will raise awareness about the crimes against humanity being committed. Their aim is on the verge of truly transformative change: changing the way the world responds to genocide and mass atrocities in Ogaden. With the change in leadership in Washington, the opportunities to advance their cause are much greater. They will continue to operate as volunteers but need additional funding to spread their message to the general public and recruit many more volunteers to submit their petition forms. Only with widespread support will they be positioned to abolish the genocide in Ogaden.
In short, the movement is shifting “Never again” from a promise they make to a commitment they keep.
The screening will be taking place on Sat. Nov 28 at Lady Hamilton Hall at 1677 Wilson Ave.
How can we talk about unifying the Black community until we know of this and similar realities. The opressor does not always come in the form a stranger.
The struggle in Ogaden is an axample of why there must be an understanding of the full context of the Black reality on a global level. These historical agressions and current opressions MUST be transformed before we can even begin to talk about PanAfricanism or a shared Blackness. Families and individuals do not forgett or ignore these realities just because they move to North America. These histories shape the way that we view ourselves and the way we view our Black brothers and sisters. I hope that anyone who speaks of unifying Black communities goes out to see this if even to be exposed to why the time of PanAfricanism cannot come before the time of holding the opressors in our own community accountable.
Thank you DarkerThanBlue folks for bringing these kind of opportunities to our attention.
Peace.