Afghan Activist Malalai Joya Speaks in Minneapolis

Afghan activist, writer and a former politician, Malalai Joya spoke tonight at St. Joan of Arc church in Minneapolis. She was dismissed from the Afghan parliament for publicly denouncing the presence of what she considered to be warlords and war criminals in the Afghan parliament. Joya is an outspoken critic of the Karzai administration and its western supporters, particularly the United States. Her suspension from parliament in May 2007 generated protest internationally and appeals for her reinstatement have been signed by high profile writers, intellectuals such as Noam Chomsky, and politicians including Members of Parliament from Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. She is called by some "the bravest woman in Afghanistan."

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[handsome4216]

Malalai Joya! You have just embarrassed the Afghan Nation with your bloody dam character and speeches. ای جویای لعنتــــــی توباهمچون شخصیت وســـــخنرانی های خودتمـــــام ملت ماراشـــــــرماندی لعنت ونفــــــرین به تونامســـلمان

[najibullahy]

I think if afghanistan had a few poeple like brave Malalai Joya then we could have had a free country and very loving poeple in afghanistan but unfortunately that is not possible becouse of those heartless and warcrime forgniers forinstance from american europe iran pakistan russia china, these poeple from those countries brainwashing our less minded poeple and made afghanistan a playground for their weapon and killing afghani in afghanistan. May Allah always protect you Malalai Yoya.

[Sevenfold120]

@bapyou Im essentially agreeing with you. I never said Afghanistan can become westernized at least not in the immediate future.

[bapyou]

@Sevenfold120 "Give people Democracy they dont automatically become western and democratic, not overnight after years of bloodshed and inter-tribal warfare."

1. You cannot "give" a people democracy; especially while dropping bombs on them as the US & NATO have done for 10 years.

2. Afghanistan is not "western;" it will never be western. Only idiots suggest they become western.

3. If you want to learn about Afghanistan, read Malalai Joya's book. You'll learn a great deal from a native Afghan.

[Sevenfold120]

@bapyou Shit that really sucks... shame they didnt have any additional rules in their constitution that prohibits the parliament from booting out members. What can you expect though. Give people Democracy they dont automatically become western and democratic, not overnight after years of bloodshed and inter-tribal warfare. Especially when you make tribal warlords, use to authoritarian rule, parliamentary members.

[bapyou]

@Sevenfold120 "Is there some parliamentary procedure to dismiss elected representatives?"

Essentially, the Afghan parliament made up a rule specifically for the purpose of removing Joya from parliament; a rule stating anyone who criticizes or insults members of the parliament should be banished from parliament. Of course, hundreds of parliamentarians ceaselessly both insulted and threatened the life of Joya, but nothing at all was done to them. What did Joya actually do? She told the truth.

[bapyou]

Thank you Malalai! You're an inspiration to everyone around the world working to end these wars conducted for the profit of the few. Stay strong.

Solidarity!

Bruce

Los Angeles

[puppetjak]

All Americans should listen to Malalai. It takes a few seconds before she starts but well worth the wait. She really educates the American people in her talk and in her book. All the local news shows should have had her on. With so Trillions of our tax dollars funding the wars we should at the very least be educated by people like Malalai Joya.

[Sevenfold120]

How was she dismissed? Is there some parliamentary procedure to dismiss elected representatives?