Remembering the life, spirit and activism of Rachel Corrie

Rachel Corrie Activist, Writer (1979–2003)

Recently I have found some great portraits of activists I admire. I noticed that these particular portraits were similar in their style and nature. I did some digging and found that a political website called YesMagazine.org has been promoting a book entitled Americans Who Tell the Truth: An Essay of Portraits by Robert Shetterly.

Apparently, New England artist Robert Shetterly began painting portraits of Americans he admired which aided him when he was going through a period where he was particularly disappointed in what was becoming of the United States.

“My respect and love for these people and their courage helped to transform that anger into hope and pride and allowed me to draw strength from this community of truth tellers", says Shetterly.

Just recently I came across one of his portraits that paid homage to Rachel Corrie.

Rachel Corrie was an activist who was killed on March 16, 2003 at the age of 23. Corrie was protesting at the Gaza Strip with the International Solidarity Movement. I had heard news of Corrie as she and I had both attended The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. I never knew Corrie myself but her story affected me never the less.

Corrie and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) conducted non-violent protests against the Israeli military. They sought to pressure Israeli Defense Forces into forgoing it's occupation in Palestine. Some of the measures that the ISM carried out were blocking military tanks and bulldozers that destroyed homes and killed residents on a daily basis.

On March 16, 2003 Corrie stood between a Caterpillar bulldozer and a local home in attempts to prevent it from becoming demolished. Corrie was run over twice by the bulldozer and killed.

A memorial website has been set up to commemorate her life at can be found at
www.rachelcorrie.org

The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice can be found at
www.rachelcorriefoundation.org

Actor Alan Rickman and writer Katherine Viner put together a play based on Corrie's letters, journals, and emails called “My Name is Rachel Corrie.”

Several music artists have paid tribute to Corrie in songs and compositions.

Billy Bragg - The Lonesome Death of Rachel Corrie

Maya Angelou Reads an Email from Rachel Corrie

Alice Walker reads words of Rachel Corrie in Berkeley, California on November 11, 2006


Suheir Hamad performs her poem On the Brink of...for Rachel Corrie

That I am aware of two documentaries have been made that feature Corrie's story. One is entitled The Killing Zone which I can no longer find in YouTube and the other is called Rachel Corrie: American Conscience.



Rachel Corrie American Conscience PART 1


Rachel Corrie: American Conscience PART 2


Rachel Corrie: American Conscience PART 3


Rachel Corrie: American Conscience PART 4


Rachel Corrie: American Conscience PART 5


Rachel Corrie: American Conscience PART 6


Rachel Corrie: American Conscience PART 7


Rachel Corrie: American Conscience PART 8


Rachel Corrie: American Conscience PART 9


Rachel Corrie: American Conscience PART 10

ISM eyewitnesses feel certain that the Israeli soldier driving the bulldozer deliberately ran Corrie. The Israeli Government has denied Corrie's death was delibratet. The official response was that Corrie was killed by debris pushed over by the bulldozer and the driver did not see her.

Joe Carr, an American ISM activist who accompanied Corrie on the trip to Gaza gave the following account in an affidavit recorded and published by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.

Still wearing her fluorescent jacket, she knelt down at least 15 meters in front of the bulldozer, and began waving her arms and shouting, just as activists had successfully done dozens of times that day... When it got so close that it was moving the earth beneath her, she climbed onto the pile of rubble being pushed by the bulldozer... Her head and upper torso were above the bulldozer’s blade, and the bulldozer driver and co-operator could clearly see her. Despite this, the driver continued forward, which caused her to fall back, out of view of the diver. He continued forward, and she tried to scoot back, but was quickly pulled underneath the bulldozer. We ran towards him, and waved our arms and shouted; one activist with the megaphone. But the bulldozer driver continued forward, until Rachel was all the way underneath the central section of the bulldozer.

Two days after Corrie's death Joe Carr was interviewed by British Channel 4 and The Observer reporter Sandra Jordan for a documentary entitled The Killing Zone. The film aired June 2003.

I saw this documentary on YouTube and recognized Carr immediately. Joe Carr was a fellow Evergreen student whom I knew. He and I lost touch since Evergreen days but I had been following his musical efforts.


Joe Carr is an educator, activist and performance artist living in Austin, Texas.


Joe Carr interview part 1


Joe Carr interview part 2


Joe Carr's song about Rachel Corrie - A Dove's Last Stand

For more information on Joe, his music and his activism go to
http://www.lovinrevolution.org/Bio.htm
http://www.myspace.com/joe_carr
http://www.myspace.com/lovinrevolution

It is obvious to see why Rachel Corrie has struck a chord with so many. She took a risk and stood up for what she believed. I do not romanticize her death, I am not jumping on any bandwagon. I am simply glad to see that so many acknowledge her efforts. I am also proud of the individuals who continue to stand up for their beliefs.

After Corrie's death I began questioning whether such protests are even necessary. I do not think that Corrie died in vain she her message has spread to so many. I can only hope that the efforts of the ISM and other like minded organizations will be heard by the Israeli government. Thank you for your efforts and thank you Rachel Corrie.