Teach-in "Aceh: Epicenter of Disaster"
Posted January 7, 2005 by in Events
This is happening this weekend, Saturday, in NYC! Sorry for such a short notice.
Teach-in "Aceh: The Epicenter of Disaster"
Featuring; Amy Goodman, of Democracy now!,
Alan Nairn, award-winning journalist and activist,
Warzain, Acehnise activist, and others.
The teach-in will cover the impact of the tsunami on Aceh as well as how the history of Aceh's oppression has affected the present situation. The event is free, but it is also a fundraiser for grassroots Indonesian and Acehnese organizations doing relief work on the ground in Aceh, so donations will be accepted.
Brief Background on Aceh:
Aceh (pronounced "Ah-chayh"), the province on the westernmost tip of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, was right near the epicenter of the largest earthquake and was also impacted by the largest Tsunami waves. The coastline of Aceh was shattered, countless villages were wiped off the map, and much of the capital, Banda Aceh, was flattened. The Indonesian government has confirmed over 100,000 deaths in the country; most of these dead are in Aceh.
Despite this level of devastation, Aceh has been getting proportionately less attention and assistance than most other areas. This is due to a combined set of factors.
First, a longstanding independence struggle by the Acehnese has led to a military invasion and "civil emergency" imposed by the Indonesian government. Up until the disaster struck, Indonesia had banned most journalists from Aceh. Indonesia is now relaxing that ban, but there are still few journalists present.
Second, because of the "civil emergency," there were no Western tourists in Aceh and, consequently, no interest by the Western media in the fate of their "own" people there.
Third, because of its corruption and its repressive attitude toward the Acehnese, the Indonesian government cannot be counted on to provide proper assistance. According to a report from one independent journalist in Banda Aceh, much aid is piling up unused at military bases and airports. He also reports that every night military forces are looting those homes still standing in Banda Aceh.
The event is free
Saturday, Jan 8, 2005
from 1:30-4:00pm
At The Community Church of NY
40 E 35th St. Manhattan
Donations to Aceh can be made through Greengrants
For more information contact:
EMERGENCY ACEH RELIEF
c/o Dhyta Caturani
275 Fort Washington Ave #6C
New York, NY 10032
646-251-2862
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