After months of organizing, fundraising, traveling, silk screening, hustling and literally begging for funds to make Existence Is Resistance’s first Bus Stop Hip Hop Tour happen, we are finally all here.
Shadia Mansour, DJ Vega Benetton, Lowkey and Nana were already here by the time myself, Ayman (E.I.R) and M1 of Dead Prez arrived. We awaited the arrival of Marcel Cartier and Mazzi (Soul Purpose). Between Lowkey, Nana, Ayman and Mazzi the “Sek-Yurity Check/Interrogation” time the three of them was subjected to a total of about 17 hours. All these artists dedicated their time, artistic talents and love to my Palestinian people and that brings warmth to my heart. More than words can translate.
Lavie, Trinidad and Brandon from Chicago’s Southwest Youth Collaborative were delayed in the US and did not arrive on the Friday as scheduled so the rest of us headed to Ramallah from Palestine 48′ to start our scheduled workshops and participate in a show put together by the British Consulate in Ramallah. We headed for Nablus to Bulata Camp where we were met by our great brothers, Mustafa and the two Ibrahim’s. We all sat up until 5/6am sharing stories and introductions etc. The energy at this camp is something indescribable. I can only tell you that you have to experience it yourself.
Today we headed to Jenin to the Freedom Theatre which is located in the refugee camp. Upon entering the camp we got out to look at the horse on the roundabout which was built from an ambulance which had been bombed by the Israeli IDF whilst trying to get the wounded aboard. The people are so creative, they built a horse in memory out of all the parts to the ambulance.
Once we got to the Theater we started the workshops. I got to see some youth I had met a couple of years ago there and seeing them still smiling and motivated (some more than the last time) was heartwarming. We then headed up to the venue to set up equipment, drove back to get everyone teaching the workshops, fliered all over the City of Nablus then headed up to the venue to get the show started. I get a call that our lovelies from Chicago have just been released in time to get them to Jenin to do the show. As soon as they arrived (bag less since the airline lost their luggage) they jumped right on stage and did an amazing show of break dancing. The show was amazing, the crowd was so energetic and fired up. After dinner we headed back to the camp. Once we arrived we grabbed cans of spray paint and started spray painting at 3am. We met a guy called Nasser who I interviewed in the youth center. I will write about him tomorrow. He needs a whole blog about his story. I will say he was 20 years old and has been shot 11 times with 2 bullets still in his body.
At 6am we decided to take Brandon from SWYC on a personal tour while the camp was still quiet. As he looked at posters of the martyrs, walking through the maze of alleyway streets and looking at tiny little graves in the martyrs graveyard, he couldn’t control his emotions and broke down. By the end of the tour me, the tour guide Ibrahim (who visited a few of his friends graves as we walked through) and Brandon were in tears and not a word was said for the entire walk back to the youth center where we are staying. As hard as it is to see this, this is what we want…the realty of the Palestinian struggle coming to life to those from abroad. Understanding of the lives they live and the daily reminders of the terrorism against them.
Although I cried for my people, I also cried because I want my sister Mariam by my side. I looked at her name on the wall when we got back, closed my eyes and could see her face standing there next to the wall….crying with me.
Special Thanks to Cultures of Resistance (www.culturesofresistance.org), Kyle Goen, Hurriyah, Nizar, Hussien, Mustafa from Bulata and so many more we will mention in the next few days.
Peace and love……Nancy Harrabic Tubman
