(from my e-mail)
Hi all:
We want to add an informal component to our initiative, inspired by the Lysistrata Project. Please copy and send the below to everyone you know—activists, actors, students, professionals, friends, families, colleagues. In addition to organized actions, on March 16 we want Rachel’s words to reach living rooms and black box theatres, cafes and street corners world-wide. We’ll try to track every city in every country where Rachel’s voice is being heard, in groups of any shape or size. This is meant to inspire and invite non-activists and activists alike to open their eyes to what Rachel saw.
RACHEL’S WORDS
March 16: Staged Readings, Public Readings, Living Room Readings
Please consider taking part in an important initiative on March 16, called “Rachel’s Words” and forward this request to everyone you know.
“My Name is Rachel Corrie” is a powerful one-woman show based entirely on the writings of Rachel Corrie, telling her story from the time she was a small child, leading up to the days before she was killed at the age of 23. The play was produced by the Royal Court Theatre in London to sold out audiences and wide acclaim. “My Name is Rachel Corrie” was scheduled to open at the New York Theatre Workshop on March 22nd. It has been postponed indefinitely, sparking much controversy. “Rachel’s Words” was developed in response, in order to provide a platform for Rachel’s voice to be heard.
The play’s director Alan Rickman stated, “Rachel Corrie lived in nobody’s pocket but her own. Whether one is sympathetic with her or not, her voice is like a clarion in the fog and should be heard.” Rachel’s mother Cindy wonders, “Why are people so afraid of Rachel’s words?”
Just as Lysistrata was read in 59 countries and 1,029 cities in March of 2003 as an act of theatrical dissent against the impending war, we intend Rachel’s Words to provide a burst of light in the pervasive climate of fear and challenge to free speech that is increasingly prevalent in our society and open the door to many other silenced voices.
On March 16, the third anniversary of Rachel’s death, Rachel’s e-mails and selected writings will be read in living rooms, cafes, black box theatres and street corners. They will be read by small groups of friends, Muslim and Jewish dialogue groups, individuals with bull-horns, families, and performance artists. They will be read in cities such as London, Brussels, Jenin, Jerusalem, New York, San Francisco, Abuja, Paris and Cairo.
On March 16 let us come together world-wide to hear what an extraordinary young woman had to say about what she was witnessing in the world—and decide for ourselves what we think.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO READ RACHEL’S E-MAILS: Go to www.rachelswords.org
CAN YOU ORGANIZE A READING OF RACHEL’S WORDS?: Let us know at rachels_words@yahoo.com. Write “MARCH 16 READING” in the subject. Our website will list all the cities across the world where Rachel’s words are being read.
DO YOU WANT TO ENDORSE THE RACHEL’S WORDS INITIATVE? Please write an e-mail to rachels_words@yahoo.com and write ENDORSE in the subject.
(Rachel Corrie was a 23 year old human rights activist and gifted writer. On March 16, 2003, as she tried to protect the home of a Palestinian pharmacist from demolition in Rafah, Gaza Strip, she was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer. She left behind an extraordinary body of writing.)
Ann Petter and Jen Marlowe
Rachel’s Words
www.RachelsWords.org
rachels_words@yahoo.com