FILM, SPEAKER, POPCORN 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2019 – 5:30 – 8:00 pm 

OMNI COMMONS, 4799 SHATTUCK AVE., OAKLAND CA 94609

Through a clever mix of stop motion animation and interviews, “The Wanted 18” recreates an astonishing true story: the Israeli army’s pursuit of 18 cows, whose independent milk production on a Palestinian collective farm was declared “a threat to the national security of the state of Israel.” In response to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, a group of people from the town of Beit Sahour decide to buy 18 cows and produce their own milk as a co-operative. Their venture is so successful that the collective farm becomes a landmark, and the cows local celebrities- until the Israeli army takes note and declares that the farm is an illegal security threat. Consequently, the dairy is forced to go underground, the cows continuing to produce their “Intifada milk” with the Israeli army in relentless pursuit. Recreating the story of the “wanted 18” from the perspectives of the Beit Sahour activists, Israeli military officials, and the cows, Palestinian artist Amer Shomali and veteran Canadian director Paul Cowan create an enchanting, inspirational tribute to the ingenuity and power of grassroots activism.

Speaker: Palestinian activist Leena Dallasheh has been active in the struggle for freedom and justice in Palestine for many years. She will share her experience in this struggle and also thoughts about her time in the Zapatista Caracol of Oventik this summer. Ms. Dallasheh will also share some thoughts about common challenges indigenous peoples experience in both places, commonalities between the Zapatista and Palestinian struggles and the potential for solidarity work between the two.

Members of the Chiapas Support Committee will present information on the recent major expansion of Zapatista autonomy.

All proceeds from this event support the Zapatista communities.

Contact information: Chiapas Support Committee – enapoyo1994@yahoo.com