Malalai & Matthis

Matthis Chiroux was a U.S. Army Sergeant who served in Germany and in Afghanistan. He explains how when he was stationed in Heidelberg, German civilians confronted him with the truth about the U.S. and NATO wars. At the demonstration against NATO in France and Germany in April, 2008, he meets Malalai Joya. She was a Member of the Afghan Parliament but was suspended for speaking out against the warlords; now she is active on behalf of women's rights and peace in Afghanistan. Matthis publicly apologizes to Malalai for his role in occupying her country. This video captures their conversation after Matthis' apology. Malalai speaks of her gratitude and the gratitude of her people for those who stand up to war crimes in the Middle East, whether in Afghanisan, Iraq, Pakistan or Palestine.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Malalai Joya
• Matthis Chiroux
• Joachim Guilliard
• Reiner Braun
• Elsa Rassbach
• Afghanistan
• Iraq
• Pakistan
• Palestine
• Germany
• U.S. military
• NATO
• Strasbourg
• war
• peace
• internationalism
• resistance Women in Black
• Iraq Veterans Against the War
• women's liberation
• women's rights
• Middle East
• apology
• No To War - No To NATO
• Bertold Brecht

[SGM97B]

Questioning political decisions is everyones right. But being a complete coward, refusing to deploy because you are scared, is another story. This person wouldn't risk his well-being to save his wife or girlfriend from a rapist. He volunteered to join the Army. He swore (to God) to protect and defend his country. And then, because he is too scared, he refuses to go. Now he hides out in a near socialist country because he is too ashamed to go home and face his family.

[elkezwinge]

Great, Elsa, that you have filmed this very important meeting, that shows our international fight for peace.

Elke

[Annegw1]

Thank you Elsa. From a CODEPINK'er. They make an awesome twosome.