May 23, 2008

Dear Diary:
More exciting press for Sweet Crude! Check this out:

Dear Friends of Sweet Crude:

Just a quick note to let you know that CNN International’s Inside Africa program this week features two segments about the Niger Delta, one of them about Sweet Crude!

Check out the program descriptions at http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/12/28/inside.africa/ -- the third and fourth stories in the “read” tab. Beginning on Wednesday, you should be able to access videos in the “video” tab.

Inside Africa airs in limited markets in the U.S. We are told that Comcast and Time Warner cable carry it and that this week’s show will air at 12:30 pm Saturday, May 24^th. We are unable to find it in any tv listings – it’s possible it airs inside another CNN show. We hope you can find it in your location.

If you are outside the U.S., you should have better luck. Inside Africa airs widely in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. Check the Inside Africa web site mentioned above for schedules.

One more thing: A couple of days ago, we told you about the Seattle Times editorial and blog entry. There’s a place for you to comment on the story here: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/edcetera/2008/05/think_130_a_barrel_is_high_for.html. If a bunch of us say thanks for the story or offer some thoughts, the Times will know this is an issue people care about and one they should continue to cover. So we hope you will take a minute to do this.

As always, thanks so much for your interest and support

May 22, 2008

Dear Diary:
Here's the latest from the Sweet Crude team:

Dear Friends of Sweet Crude:

For the last two and a half years, we’ve been working to not only make a movie, but to make change. If you’re reading this email, it’s because you’ve expressed interest, offered support or taken action to help with that change.

Thank you. Every phone call made, email sent, screening attended, meeting arranged, conversation had, dollar spent…every moment of attention you've given is paying off.

Today, it feels like we’re close to a tipping point. There’s momentum for change in the Niger Delta. The world is starting to pay attention—and we believe it's not too late.

With our crew safely home, we’ve met with the offices of the 14 lawmakers who signed the letter calling for their release. Congressional commitments have been made to focus on the Delta and figure out the right action to take. The media has stepped up, not only with coverage, but the right kind of coverage. Two hundred Seattleites showed up on a rainy Monday night to talk about the issues. People are learning about and caring about this place, so far away yet so connected to our lives in the U.S. This is a hopeful and powerful moment.

This editorial was published in the Seattle Times today. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004427194_lynne21.html

You can listen to a podcast and comment on the story here: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/edcetera/2008/05/think_130_a_barrel_is_high_for.html

Please take this opportunity to make your voice heard.

Check the News page of our web site—we’ll be updating it frequently with Sandy’s latest radio interviews and other media coverage. We’ve also added a page with some action steps, including an easy way to thank the U.S. legislators who spoke out during the detainment: http://www.sweetcrudemovie.com/getInvolved.php

In taking a stand for human rights, environmental rights and justice in the Niger Delta, we stand up for people everywhere who are dehumanized and disregarded in the name of resources like oil. In taking a stand for third-party monitored, all-inclusive stakeholder negotiations, we stand up for preventive diplomacy that could turn this crisis from the path to war.

This is the time to continue to educate, agitate and advocate. From resource control to journalistic suppression to militancy to international accountability—it’s a big conversation. Let’s keep talking.

Very best from all of us at Sweet Crude Movie

May 9, 2008

Dear Diary:
As promised...there is more news happening around Sweet Crude. Folks can listen/watch/read an interview between Sandy Cioffi, the director, and an interviewer with Democracy Now. Here's the link: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/5/9/free_from_nigerian_military_custody_sweet. For those in the Seattle area there will be a forum on Monday evening, May 19, at Kane Hall at the UW. More details to follow. And word has it that Sandy is also scheduled for a CNN interview. More details also to follow.

Sean says he is doing well. He just has a different perspective on life now. He may get more involved in documentaries...and travel. But this Mama Camel knows that he has to follow his dream wherever that takes him...