"Do not go gentle into that great night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Dylan Thomas
This quote passes my mind a lot these days and for me, it really sums up Dey Krahorm and their struggle. As powerful individuals/authorities circle in on Dey Krahorm, and 'realistically' no hope remains, the rage at injustice and violence against our loved ones gives the power needed to maintain hope and determination, especially after an almost 4-year struggle.
One of the definitions of 'rage' as a noun is 'a vehement desire or passion'. As a verb, rage can describe 'to continue with great force'. Rage helps us tap into determination and creativity to overcome the odds.
There is always hope until the last second, Dey Krahorm continues to be proof and they will rage on with various forms of creative non-violent resistant until it is indeed the end.
"It is not enough merely to call for democracy, freedom and human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill-will, ignorance and fear... " Aung San Suu Kyi
Solidarity in and around Dey Krahorm continues to grow. An average morning in Dey Krahorm sees many journalists and students sitting with village leaders asking questions and drinking coffee. All around are homemade signs calling for peace and justice interspersed with 'stop evictions' flags and banners of the document that proves their land rights.
Khmer and foreign monitors stop by throughout the day as a gesture of friendship but more so as a deterrent. And we have a regular team the rotates monitoring the nights.
The Urgent Action Appeal for Dey Krahorm sent out the other day is also applying some serious pressure. Ruth wrote yesterday to say two of the government's email boxes were full. Dateline and Channel 4 [UK Unreported World] are both also documenting Dey Krahorm, the latter is staked out at the hotel on the corner next to the village.
Vichet, Dey Krahorm village spokesperson, just wrote a new song in response the Municipalities final compensation offer to Dey Krahorm. [$20,000/house, an average of around $60,000 LESS than market price] The title is 'DO NOT ACCEPT' and explains why $20,000 will not allow them to survive. The villagers love it and want to sing again and again. Even the foreigners are learning the words to sing along. Our Danish friends play the music for the song; 2 guitars, 1 floor base, 1 violin. It's so wonderful to hear and clap along, to see the smiles on everyone's faces. Vichet will give it to the radio stations as soon as it's recorded. It will most likely piss the Municipality off but for regular Cambodians, they will be instantly addicted. [that's my own projection]
Saving the best news for last, yesterday, village leader Lor Seyha was released from prison on appeal! He was unlawfully convicted on trumped up charges in August of 2008. Seyha paid his way out on appeal and returned to Dey Krahorm to find a ceremony prepared in this honor. The monks cleansed Seyha from any evil that was clinging to him and then blessed all. Seyha's return raised the energy of the village considerably. Seyha himself seems a bit overwhelmed. When he went to prison, Dey Krahorm didn't have media support, international support, nor had they produced an activist CD, nor did they have business cards. Seyha was key in getting the villagers through the first few years and because he led them, he was eventually targeted and imprisoned. He was also the man that worked closely with Gen and I on the Dey Krahorm report. We've shared laughter, tears, heck he's even yelled at us in frustration. It was heart breaking to see him imprisoned and for us to be powerless to help for months. But he's BACK!
The Dey Krahorm villagers and friends who stand with them are taking one day at a time. The municipality has been very quiet these last days and noone knows what is up their sleeves. Until we know, we will keep on singing…..
On behalf of the whole Dey Krahorm family, thank you to everyone who sends prayers, lights incense, write letters or sends love to the team. All together, the solidarity is keeping the violence and eviction at bay while strengthening those on the front lines.
In Peace and Solidarity
Lee
Reclaim your name @ymail.com or @rocketmail.com. Get your new email address now!
