As they tried to save her after being shot in the heart ~
as she was ~
She was a philosophy student at the University and was shot by a police sniper in the heart whilst watching the protests. Footage of her death travelled swiftly through the online media channels and perhaps her voice may be the one emotion reaching out to the world saying "enough". Interestingly her name in farsi means "calling" or "voice of the call".
The logo's above have been selected for T-shirt designs by a friend of mine who has been resident at the Native Men's Residence in Toronto for the last 9 months. The shirts which will be on sale today at the Annual Pow-Wow Event, Wells Hill Park.
Na-Me-Res provides a 63 male bed shelter to house and serve the needs of homeless individuals in Toronto. Their objective is to reduce the number of homeless and to prevent those at risk of becoming homeless, by equipping them with the tools of empowerment, self-reliance, and economic independence.
I personally have been very moved over recent months to witness the tranformation in my friend through the care and support given by this organisation. Homelessness can happen to anyone but it is not primariliy solved by getting a job ~ instead renewing self-confidence, emotional healing and a sense of community are all elements that serve as a solutions to people who have for a variety of reasons been marginalised. In unique ways the community at this residence has addressed these issues and I have been able to witness stories of change unfold online through photos shared of retreats, healing ceremonies, sweatlodges and out door pursuits. I have been very blessed to witness this & see someone who I care about from a distance recieve such much needed support & blessing. He has already created t-shirts for my kids & friends here in Ireland. I have been very touched.
There are four principle teachings that the Creator gave to us to know:
Be kind above all, to be honest in all things, to share all that we have, and if we do these things correctly, then that is where we gain our strength. .
Playing for Change is a group of musicians from around the world with the collective aim to promote peace through music. Their album released afew weeks ago went straight in at No 10 on the billboard charts. The youth choir, who sing along with Bono of U2 on the album, was created some ten years ago in the wake of the Omagh bombing. Out the success of the album, the choir has been asked to be the headline act on the Jazz/World stage at the Festival, sharing stage with acts like Bruce Springsteen.
29 people were killed and over 220 people injured as a result of the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland on the 15th August 1998. The choir aims to bring together young people from various backgrounds and religious divides for peace and reconciliation, and to provide some comfort to those who have suffered as a result of this nationwide trauma.
"There is no better way of bringing people together than through music or song." says Daryl Simpson, choir founding member.
Here is the Bob Marley song ~ "war no more trouble" from the album performed by the Omagh Community Youth Choir, Bono and others
"Until the philosophy which holds one race Superior and another inferior Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned Everywhere is war, me say war
That until there is no longer first class And second class citizens of any nation Until the colour of a man's skin Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes Me say war ~ we dont need no more war"
