Movies with a Message in Oregon: "Iron Ladies of Liberia"

By Pat Rumer, Jubilee Oregon

Jubilee OR joined with Portland Community College's annual African Film Festival to educate people about Vulture Funds and to ask them to take action.  Saturday, March 7, 2009 the African Film Festival showed "Iron Ladies of Liberia" - a really great film following President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in her first year in office as president of Liberia.  There was some good discussion of Liberia's debt in the film.

Prior to the film's showing Pat Rumer talked about vulture funds - what they are and how they are impacting Liberia.  We asked the 200 people at the film to sign a letter to their Member of Congress asking them to co-sponsor the Stop Vulture Funds Act when it is re-introduced this year by Congresswoman Maxine Waters.  People were very enthusiastic and we garnered many signatures to send to the Oregon and SW Washington representatives as well as our two U.S. Senators in Oregon. 

International Film Festivals are a great way to reach new people with the message of Jubilee.  Do a google search to see if any theater or college in your town hosts such a film festival.  Partner with them - Jubilee OR has participated in panels after the film, Bamako as well as several other African films that relate to the debt crisis. 

We met several members of the Liberian community and are planning to do a joint workshop about vulture funds and debt with them.  Besides meeting new people and signing up people on our email listserv, the film was great!

Comments

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I had never heard the term Vulture Funds before. Thanks for the insight. I'd love see one of those nations on that continent put it all together and become vibrant. It could serve as an example for all others.

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I had never heard the term Vulture Funds before. Thanks for the insight. I'd love see one of those nations on that continent put it all together and become vibrant. It could serve as an example for all others.