24 hours to save Sakineh

Dear Friends, 

Iran could execute Sakineh Ashtiani tomorrow. We saved her from stoning, now we have 24 hours to get key powers to take emergency action to stop this shameful killing.

Tomorrow, Iran could execute Sakineh Ashtiani. 

Our global outcry stopped her unjust stoning sentence in July. Now we have 24 hours to save her life. 

Iran's allies and key UN powers are our best hope -- they could persuade Iran of the serious political cost of this high-profile killing. Click below to send them an urgent call to action and send this to everyone -- it only takes three minutes and we are her last chance: 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/24h_to_save_sakineh/?vl 

Sakineh's adultery case is a tragic sham stacked with human rights violations. First, she was to be stoned to death. But the Iranian government had to revoke the sentence after her children generated a worldwide outcry against the farcical trial -- she could not speak the language used in court, and the alleged incidents of adultery took place after her husband's death. 

Then her lawyer was forced into exile, and the prosecution conjured up a new trumped-up charge for which she would be executed -- the murder of her husband. Despite this being double jeopardy, as she is already serving time for alleged complicity in this crime, Sakineh was tortured and paraded on national television to 'confess', and was found guilty. Since then the regime has arrested two German journalists, her lawyer and her son, who has bravely led the international campaign to save his mother. All remain in prison and Sakineh's son and lawyer have been also tortured and have no access to lawyers. 

Now Iranian human rights activists state an order has just been issued from Tehran to implement her killing immediately. She is on the list and tomorrow is execution day. 

Our persistent campaigning led Iran to drop Sakineh's stoning sentence and captured the attention of leaders in countries with influence on Iran, like Turkey and Brazil. Now let's urgently raise our voices to stop her killing and inhumane treatment and free her, her lawyer, her son and the jailed German journalists. Send a message and share this emergency call with friends and family: 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/24h_to_save_sakineh/?vl 

A massive public outcry has the moral authority to stop heinous crimes. Let's use these 24 hours to send a clear message -- the world is watching and we all stand together today to save Sakineh's life and against injustice everywhere. 

With hope and determination, 

Alice, Stephanie, Pascal, Giulia, Benjamin and the whole of the Avaaz team 

Sources: 

The Islamic regime of Iran plans to execute Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani immediately
http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/4194

Sakineh hanging imminent
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/fears-that-alleged-adulterers-execution-by-hanging-is-imminent/story-e6frg6so-1225946610965

Iranian woman could be stoned Wednesday
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hipKgm5UqJOxciOi1f07BwbfRgFg?docId=CNG.6ef6de7af5f33847d19e690e61087c73.811

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani: A life in the Balance (Amnesty International)
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE13/089/2010/en/589bd56b-49ac-4028-8dc6-abd903ac9bac/mde130892010en.pdf 


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Budrus and you!

Director Julia Bacha and EC's Shruti Ganguly 

Dear friends,

We are thrilled to have presented a screening of Budrus, and that the fabulous director Julia Bacha was present for a Q&A after the film.

Below is an email we got from our Just Vision colleague Nadav Greenberg...and we're excited that Budrus will be playing at the Quad Cinema till November 4th!

XO

The EC team

Dear Friends, 

Thank you so much for joining us for a recent screening of Budrus and signing up for Just Vision's mailing list. It's been an incredible few weeks as we've begun to bring Budrus to theaters around the US, and we're thrilled so many of you came out to see the film and express your support.

We're happy to announce that Budrus has been extended for additional runs in New York and Los Angeles, and we are getting ready to open in many more cities across the country in the coming weeks. Exciting news also continues to pour in every day, with the village of Budrus recently winning an $8500 prize from the government of Norway (you can watch Ayed's acceptance speech here), Just Vision founder and Executive Director Ronit Avni winning the Seeking Common Ground - Circles of Change Award, and more great coverage in the New York Timesand Los Angeles Times to add to the incredible response that Budrus has received so far in the press.

Below are some of the main places Budrus will be playing over the next few months (you can see a full list with showtimes here). Because we use almost no traditional advertising and marketing, we rely on your help and word of mouth to get the film and its message to audiences around the country. 

The next few weeks will be extremely crucial to our ability to bring Budrus to additional cities and communities across the country, so help us pack the theaters by spreading the word to your friends, family and colleagues in the cities below: 

• New York - Quad Cinema - Extended! Playing now until November 4th. 
• Los Angeles - Extended! Playing at the Music Hall until October 28th, and then moving to the Monica 4-plex for the weekend. 
• Denver - Starz FilmCenter - Extended! Playing now until October 31st.
• Washington, DC - West End Cinema - Opens October 29th. 
• Traverse City, MI - State Theater - Opens October 29th. 
• Chicago - Facets Multimedia - Opens November 19th. 
• Minneapolis - Landmark Cinemas - Opens November 26th. 
• Boston - Coolidge Corner - Opens December 3rd. 
• Seattle - Landmark Cinemas - Opens December 17th. 
• San Francisco & Berkeley - Landmark Cinemas - Opens January 14th.

And many more to come... Join us on Facebook and Twitter, or check the events section of our website to get the latest.

If you know of groups in any of these that would want to coordinate trips to the theater and set up special Q&As with Just Vision staff and the filmmakers, please have them email nadav@justvision.org. E-flyers are available upon request for most of the cities listed above. 

Also - our theatrical release is just the beginning! Starting in the late winter and spring of 2011, we will begin to bring the film to university campuses, schools, organizations and religious congregations across the country. Please be in touch with nadav@justvision.org if you're interested in setting up a screening\workshop for your community. 

Thanks again for taking the time to join us and for your enthusiastic support. We're looking forward to being in touch with more exciting news in the coming weeks and months. 

Warm regards,

Nadav

P.S. Just Vision relies on the generous support of individuals in order to carry out its mission. Help make sure that the voices of Palestinians and Israelis working towards nonviolent solutions to the conflict are heard by making a tax-deductible donation today. Thank you. 

EchoChamber // BUDRUS

Dear Friends,

EchoChamber is proud to present a screening of the award-winning documentary Budrus, a film by Julia Bacha, next Monday, October 11, at 8:10 PM at the Quad Cinema in New York City. A Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

Please see the invite below for details. If you can make it, please RSVP to rsvp@startanecho.org

Smriti Mundhra
Shruti Rya Ganguly
Co-Founders
EchoChamber
www.startanecho.org


The New York Times calls Budrus "this year's must-see documentary"

Winner Audience Award, 2nd Prize, Berlin International Film Festival 2010
Winner Audience Award, San Francisco Film Festival
Winner Special Jury Mention, Tribeca Film Festival 2010
Winner Special Jury Mention, Jerusalem Film Festival 2010
Winner Special Jury Mention, Documenta Madrid 2010
Winner Witness Award, SilverDocs Film Festival 2010
Winner Amnesty Award Italia, Film Festival 2010
Winner, Best of Fest, Traverse City Film Festival 2010

Budrus' Opening at the Quad Cinema in NYC on October 8th

Just Vision is pleased to announce the New York theatrical launch of its new film Budrus. Hailed in the New York Times as "this year's must-see documentary," and featured in major international news outlets, including Newsweek and the Economist, Budrus tells the story of a Palestinian community organizer, Ayed Morrar, who unites members of all factions along with Israeli supporters in an unarmed movement to save his village of Budrus from destruction by Israel's Separation Barrier. Success eludes them until his 15-year-old daughter, Iltezam, launches a women’s contingent that quickly moves to the front lines. A trailer of the film as well as full press reviews are available at: http://www.justvision.org/budrus.

Winner of the Audience Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival, Special Jury Mention at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival's Panorama Audience Award Second Prize, Founder's Prize at Michael Moore's Traverse City Film Festival, Special Mention at the Jerusalem International Film Festival and the WITNESS Award at Silverdocs, Budrus is produced by an Israeli, Palestinian and North American team of filmmakers, including the writer/editor of the celebrated film, Control Room, and the directors of Encounter Point.

Budrus will be playing from October 8th to 14th at the Quad Cinema, located at 34 W. 13th St. in Manhattan. Daily screenings at: 1:05, 2:50, 4:35, 6:25, 8:10* and 10pm.

To purchase tickets please click here.

*Daily Q&A with filmmakers and\or subjects after the 8:10pm screening.

EchoChamber // NIGERIA

Dear Friends,

EchoChamber in conjunction with HBO Documentary Films would like to invite you to a private screening of the International Emmy award-winning documentary Saving Africa's Witch Children, a film by Mags Gavan and Joost Van Der Valk (with narration by Sophie Okonedo), this Monday, May 24, at 6PM at the HBO Theater in New York City. A Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the screening. Please see the invite below for details. If you can make it, please RSVP to rsvp@startanecho.org as soon as possible, as space is limited.


ABOUT THE FILM
In the poorest parts of Nigeria, where an extreme form of Pentecostal Christianity has combined with deep-rooted belief in black magic, thousands of children are branded as witches, blamed for disease and death, and often abandoned. SAVING AFRICA’S WITCH CHILDREN follows Gary Foxcroft, a 29-year old Briton who works to help these vulnerable children through his charity, Stepping Stones Nigeria, which raises funds to aid children living in the Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) shelter. Sam Itauma, a Nigerian, runs the shelter and cares for over 150 orphans. Though Nigeria has passed a Child rights Act, the Akwa Ibom region had not enacted the law. After Gary organizes a demonstration, the law is passed, but children still arrive at CRARN daily.

The NYU Haitian Relief Fund - Help Make A Difference

An email I got today -- Shruti

The Faculty Senators Council, Administrative Management Council, and NYU Dean’s Council are sponsoring The NYU Haitian Relief Fund - a unique university-wide campaign in which donors can specify the types of goods or service they would like to have their contributions support. All funds will be distributed through the Clinton Foundation in its capacity and affiliation with the UN Special Envoy for Haiti.

Please visit www.nyu.edu/civic.engagement to download the NYU Haitian Relief Fund pledge form and help make a difference today! Thank you in advance for your support. Together, we can help provide the financial support necessary to rebuild Haiti.


NYU Office of Civic Engagement, 25 West 4th Street, 5th Floor
212 998-2329
civic.engagement@nyu.edu

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An email I got today -- Shruti

The Faculty Senators Council, Administrative Management Council, and NYU Dean’s Council are sponsoring The NYU Haitian Relief Fund - a unique university-wide campaign in which donors can specify the types of goods or service they would like to have their contributions support. All funds will be distributed through the Clinton Foundation in its capacity and affiliation with the UN Special Envoy for Haiti.

Please visit www.nyu.edu/civic.engagement to download the NYU Haitian Relief Fund pledge form and help make a difference today! Thank you in advance for your support. Together, we can help provide the financial support necessary to rebuild Haiti.


NYU Office of Civic Engagement, 25 West 4th Street, 5th Floor
212 998-2329
civic.engagement@nyu.edu

Something About Prudence

Dear friends,

We are still high on the energy and inspiration from Sunday night's event. To those of you who were able to attend, thank you for your attention and your support! We hope you enjoyed the film and discussion as much as we did. For those who weren't able to make it, you can catch Music By Prudence on HBO, May 12th. And we will be putting up a video of the panel discussion soon. Stay tuned!

We would also like to thank our amazing panelists, Shantha Rau Barriga, Kim Snyder and Derek Weisehahn, and our moderator Jessica Reynolds for their insight, and our event partners Soho House and Human Rights Watch.

Our moderator Jess Reynolds with the panelists

A captivated audience - The Echo Effect

We are still trying to raise money for Prudence Mabhena to come to the US next month and need your help! Please donate or pass this on to your communities. Your tax-deductible donations would go towards her trip, special van and attendant, and will also help programs at her school in Zimbabwe.

Below is a message from director Roger Ross Williams and Dominic Muntanga, founder of the Council for Zimbabwe.

Thank you for your continued generosity and interest, and we will see you at the next event!

Cheers,
Shruti Ganguly + Smriti Mundhra
Co-founders, EchoChamber
www.startanecho.org

Roger Ross Williams: Artistic Statement
Since the Oscars, remarkable things continue to happen. Prudence's return to her native Zimbabwe last week was met by the following national headline: Government must take measures to protect the disabled . It has become evident that Prudence's voice, figuratively and quite literally, has the potential to become a powerful one in global advocacy for people with disabilities. We have a rare opportunity on hand. In early May, Music By Prudence will be broadcast on HBO to millions of people in the US. In light of all this, we have launched the Music By Prudence Project, a fledgling initiative that proposes to bring Prudence to the US for the month of May beginning with the HBO premiere for a series of public appearances, advocacy meetings, and cultural events that will serve to establish Prudence as an international advocate and explore an initiative that will raise awareness about disability in Africa and create exchange between African and American people with disabilities.

For more information, visit: www.musicbyprudence.com

Dominic Muntanga: Council for Zimbabwe
One of the key challenges facing Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe now is how to attract the skills and expertise of about 3-5 million Zimbabweans, including lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers and business executives who left the country because of the social and economic collapse during the last decade. This move has had a debilitating effect on the delivery of social services and threatens reconstruction efforts to reverse the severe decline of infrastructure, the social sector and the economy.

The Council for Zimbabwe is a politically neutral organization formed to coordinate Zimbabweans abroad and global citizens to mobilize financial, human, and material resources to respond to the humanitarian and development needs in Zimbabwe. The organization plans to further this mission by creating an information portal and secure skills database directory to swiftly mobilize and match professionals abroad to institutions in need of expertise in Zimbabwe; establishing a Zimbabwe Development Fund to provide financial support to talented but economically disadvantaged students; convening conference calls, conferences and meetings between the Diaspora, development agencies and Zimbabwean policy makers, to encourage dialogue aimed at addressing systemic challenges and improving development policies; and advocating for the reconstruction of a peaceful, prosperous, and progressive Zimbabwe.

For more information, visit: www.zimcouncil.org

Dominic Muntanga shares his stories and work with us