Tribute to Karim Manji

Dear family and friends of Karim, 

On request I am happy to share my Facebook post of today with all of you here: 

"Dear Friends,

Last week I received sad news from London. Our dear friend, Wake Up London sangha builder, Wake Up Schools coordinator, Plum Village App team member, Plum Village website advisor, and Extinction Rebellion (XR) activist Karim Manji passed away completely unexpectedly a week ago.

In autumn 2019 me and my camera had the humble honor to be witness of his peaceful XR action, blocking the daily traffic at Piccadilly Circus in London, which finally resulted in his arrest.

Non-violent activism is not an easy thing to do. A few days after Karim was released from prison I had an interview with him. He shared that when the police officer was trying to convince him to clear the road, he touched the Earth with his hand, like the Buddha had done directly after his enlightenment, as the Earth was their silent witness, and at the same time the very reason for Karim’s peaceful action.

'We need to put our liberty on the line. The things we hold dear, our freedoms, to really communicate how serious this climate crisis is. Once you know, you can't unknow. This is what is right. This is what is important, and I don't care what that means for me. I will do prison, confronting way more powerful forces. I will do that.'

To commemorate Karim, and to celebrate his spirit of braveness and sacrifice, I am happy to share the film REBEL FOR LIFE with you in which Karim is one of the three main protagonists.

The following free film link is active until 28 February:
https://vimeo.com/r/3YEP/eDNXUWhDZH
The film is available with English, French, Spanish, German and Dutch subtitles.

Thank you Karim for standing your ground, or better, literally sitting your ground, for climate justice and for the inter-being truth of all life. Your spirit will live on in all your actions.

Eternal Earth, eternal Karim.

Wouter"