Below is a brief summary of the incident surrounding Rachel Corrie. It has been taken from Youtube.
On March 16, 2003, in the almost uninterrupted tide of Middle Eastern current affairs and just before the war in Iraq, a small tragic event was reported by some press agencies, just a few lines in the newspaper, or a 45 -second report on television: A young American peace activist was killed in the Gaza Strip, crushed by an Israeli bulldozer while she was trying to prevent the destruction of a Palestinian house.
A few weeks later, some media reports mentioned that the Israeli military police conducted an inquiry, concluding that Rachel Corrie's death was accidental. Despite many eyewitnesses claims that she was intentionally murdered by the bulldozer driver, the American administration never asked for an independent inquiry, and the case was classified and forgotten.
Five years later, director Simone Bitton is somehow doing what a court should have done. RACHEL is a deep cinema investigation into the death of a young unknown girl, made with a rigour and scope normally reserved for first-rate historical characters. It gives word to all the people involved in Rachel's story, from Palestinian and international witnesses to Israeli military spokespersons and investigators, doctors, activists and soldiers linked to the affair. The film begins like a classical documentary, but very soon it develops and transcends its subject, transforming into a cinematographic meditation on youth, war, idealism and political utopia. Palestine, the reality of which is filmed close-up, becomes a metaphor - a tomb for a child of today.
In the beginning, there is this: She was called Rachel Corrie. She was 22. She was convinced that her American nationality would be enough to make her an effective human shield, that her simple presence would save lives, olive trees, wells and houses. Like many youngsters of her generation, she kept a travel log in the form of e-mails, which she sent to her family and friends in the United States.
During the eight weeks that she had left to live, Rachel Corrie was to discover that which, in her own words, no documentary film could have taught her.
Rachel - Documentary Trailer
I first heard of Rachel as she attended the same college that I did. I did not know of Rachel during my time in Olympia, WA as I attended The Evergreen State College. I did know one of her fellow activists Joe Carr.
Joe Carr witnessed his dear friend die. I am proud of his activism and proud of his efforts in keeping Rachel's memory alive.
KOWA 106.5 Radio interview with Joe Carr - Olympia, WA
I am not sure when the Rachel documentary will be available for purchase as it just screened in October of this year.
For more information on Rachel Corrie and activist projects go to The Rachel Corrie Foundation For Peace And Justice.
To learn more about Rachel Corrie and read some of her own writing go to her tribute site at RachelCorrie.org.
To purchase the play My Name is Rachel Corrie click here.
To purchase the book Let Me Stand Alone: The Journals of Rachel Corrie, click here.
For more information on Joe Carr go to his website Lovin Revolution or Joe's music myspace page.
I should mention that if you google Rachel Corrie you not only find information about her but you will also find many articles and blog sites that are dedicated to opposing the activism of Rachel Corrie. While there is some discrepancy among officials as to whether Rachel's death was an accident or murder, many naysayers that believe that Rachel's death was appropriate. It is sad for me to read some of the cruel comments made by these people.
I think it is also important to note that Rachel is not the only International Solidarity Movement member who died.
On 11 April 2003, British ISM volunteer Thomas Hurdell was shot and left clinically brain dead as he was shot by an IDF soldier. Initially the soldier claimed the shooting occurred during an armed firefight between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants but the prosecuted soldier later admitted firing at him "as a deterrent". Hurndall died on January 13th 2004.
Tom's mother Jocelyn Hurndall has written a biography of him called Defy the Stars: The Life and Tragic Death of Tom Hurndall, published in April 2007 and reprinted in May 2008 with the alternative title My Son Tom: The Life and Tragic Death of Tom Hurndal.
I'm not sure why it is that Rachel Corrie seems to recieve much more of the attention and glory of martyrdom. Is it because it was she who was standing before the caterpillar bulldozer?
I do not think that standing in front of the bulldozer was smart but I do admire Rachel's courage. I admire the fact that she stood up for what she believed. Peace and fairness.
Did Rachel die in vain? I don't think so. She has inspired so many and her story lives on.
"We should be inspired by people... who show that human beings can be kind, brave, generous, beautiful, strong-even in the most difficult circumstances."
-----------------Rachel Corrie
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