.
Two Actions Alerts: Code Pink AND United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ):
From A United for Peace and Justice Action Alert:
You can join the growing international call for the release of al-Zaidi! Click here to sign a petition: http://www.iraqsnuclearmirage.com/articles/Zaydi.html
By now, you’ve all seen the footage of the Iraqi journalist hurling his shoes at George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad this past Sunday, December 14, 2008.
What has not been so widely reported are the words Muntadar al-Zaidi [also written at al-Zeidi], a correspondent for Cairo-based al-Baghdadiya TV, shouted out. As the first shoe was thrown at Bush, he said: “This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog.” And with his second shoe, which the president also dodged, al-Zaidi said: “This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq.”
This bold statement also has to be understood in its cultural context. Showing the soles of your shoes to someone, let alone tossing your shoes at them, is a sign of contempt in Arab culture.
After throwing his shoes, al-Zaidi was wrestled to the ground by security personnel and hauled away. ..[An update on the situation is that it is unclear if al-Zaidi was beaten by police. Also, he went from the custody of the minister’s security, to the Military, and is presently in the criminal courts.]
We urge you to join the growing international call for the release of al-Zaidi!
–
The CodePink Action Alert/Petition:
“This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq!”
Sign-up here to support Muntadar al-Zaidi! Your signatures will be delivered to the Iraqi Embassy this week!
We, the undersigned, understand and sympathize with the sentiment expressed in the action of Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi, who hurled his shoes at President Bush, shouting, “This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq.” We, too, feel for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq, thanks to the policies of the Bush administration.
It’s outrageous that al-Zaidi could get two years in prison for insulting George Bush, who is directly responsible for the deaths of 1.5 million Iraqis and 4,200 U.S. troops, and for the displacement of 5 million Iraqis. The one who should be in jail is Bush, not Muntadar al-Zaidi.
We call on the Iraqi government to immediately release al-Zaidi without charges.
Filed under: Action Alert!, international politics, progressive politics, US Politics Tagged: | al-Zaidi, al-Zeidi, Code Pink, Iraq, petition, shoe, shoes, UFPJ
I have 14 pairs of different types of footwear. I hurl them symbolically with great force, anger and disgust at al-Zaidi’s canine target.
Free al-Zaidi. He only did what billions of people around the world would like to do.
[…] back The New School!Nassau County DWI Wall of Shame: Judge rules politicians unfairSign petition to release al-Zaidi, the eloquent shoe-thrower!Green, Republican, & Democratic views of Offshore DrillingPresidential Election Results: Grand […]
al Zaidi’s use of a shoe as political protest is a dramatic improvement over the other most notorioususe of a shoe in recent years.
Who knows, maybe in a few years hence people throughout the Middle East, rather than planting explosives in shoes, or throwing them at politicians they revile, may simply wear them back and forth from work, the market, etc., just like people in many other parts of the world.
One can only hope.
I will hold off on signing the petition, the man is guilty of assault, and I will await the final outcome in the Iraqi judicial system.
[…] Al-Zaidi: As his wounds fester, my anger grows… Post with links to petitions for Al-Zaidi are: here. […]
[…] Al-Zaidi’s trial set for Thurs. Dec. 31st, 2008 KW: Please help me keep vigil over the eloquent, shoe-throwing hero, Muntadhar Al-Zaidi. The Prime Minister of Iraq (who is a friend of George Bush’s) has created unique and wild accusations to try to smear Al-Zaidi. I keep seeking petitions and mechanisms to demand that the world see Al-Zaidi, to know that the Iraqi government is not doing more harm to him. There are links to some petitions: here. […]