Once again, Chuck at MNstories scores some great video you won’t find on your local tv station. “An Ethiopian videographer took my vlog workshop for the purpose of informing people in his country about protests and activities going on here in the States,” says Chuck. The outcome was a protest video shot outside Jimmy Carter’s book signing at Barnes & Noble. The video was so successful that it exceeded the site’s bandwidth, and you can now find the video here.
Ethiopians Protest Carter
Nov 22 2005 — 2:00am
9 Reader Comments
7:06 am
I realize this post is intended to bring attention to the success of the vblog, and not really for a discussion of the content. BUT, in case anyone cares, the Carter Center’s initial pronouncement was not “in favor of the ruling party” as Chuck’s site says. Nor is the Carter Center in the business of declaring winners, as the site says. And the Carter Center had much to say voting irregularities in the election, even in the initial pronouncement (that MN Stories linked) if you read it.
The CUD made huge gains in this election that they never had before. This topic is a ton more complex than Minnesota Stories and this post lets on. But, I know, I know, that’s not the point!
7:57 am
How dare they protest a saint such as Jimmy Carter!!
10:35 am
Spaceman: Actually, I was very curious about all that too, and should’ve sought out more research for the post. Thanks for the links and info.
10:50 am
AH-HA! I tried to find out what that was all about awhile ago, but no one would tell me.
11:39 am
You’re welcome. It just caught my attention because they aren’t really protesting Carter; they are protesting against the ruling government and ultimately seeking Carter’s support and are trying to get him back into their country.
Taylor, I think those folks were marching for awareness of the large scale human rights violations in Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. Somalia also had elections that have drawn protests from MN Somali immigrants due to suspected violations.
2:20 pm
Those elections went virtually uncovered, leaving no where to turn for information… except the blogshpere!
2:33 pm
thx to spaceman for the explanation. i watched this earlier today and wondered about the cheering. they were cheering carter weren’t they?? not protesting. then the man with the microphone clearly states they’re asking for help.
the edina police got to see what a real demonstration is all about. no riot gear or arrests. they were organized and peaceful. that video kicks major league ass. big time . . .
3:02 pm
Thanks for the additional perspective on the protest. I knew absolutely nothing about this issue before meeting Biruk the videographer, so I didn’t try to make any editorial comment on it myself – just providing the video and some links for more info so people can make up their own minds. In retrospect I shouldn’t have called the piece “Ethiopians Protest Carter” since that’s an oversimplification.
Maybe I should rename it “Minnesota Stories (beta)”?!
4:17 pm
that would be the web 2.0 thing to do.