[mobglob-discuss] Fw: urgent request on behalf of Augusto Boal

[Paul Browning]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Diamond" <david at headlinestheatre.com>
To: "Paul Browning" <pnbrown at telus.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 10:22 AM
Subject: urgent request on behalf of Augusto Boal



PLEASE RESPOND AND FORWARD

August 31, 2005

Dear Friend

I am writing with another request for assistance for Brazilian Theatre 
Director and founder of the Theatre of the Oppressed, Augusto Boal. This 
time it is for a letter of support. Here is a short history of what has 
happened:

After Boal was arrested and tortured in Brazil in the 60's he fled into 
exile for many years. Upon returning to Brazil in the 90's he ran for 
political office and became a Vereador in the District of Rio de Janeiro. He 
was a Legislator for three years. As I am sure you are aware, Boal's 
contribution to both theatre and human rights is immense.

Boal is 74 years old. At 65 he was entitled, by law, to a retirement 
pension. He has spent the last nine years fighting for what should be his 
right. The complication is his previous history in Brazil and the resulting 
need to receive amnesty. A process that has taken months or up to a year for 
others has stretched into nine years for him.

Boal's lawyer is meeting with Dr. Marcelo Lavenere from the Ministry of 
Justice NEXT WEEK to discuss the matter and believes that letters of support 
from outside Brazil will help force the issue. This is where we come in.

Following is a letter drafted by Boal's lawyer. Of course a letter in your 
own words would be most effective, but adapting this letter is also 
appreciated. Please take the time to do this.

E-mail the letter to anistia at mj.gov.br

With bcc (blind copies) to:
the lawyer: Enimoreira at aol.com
and Boal: augustoboal at terra.com.br

Thank you and all the best

David Diamond
Artistic Director, Headlines Theatre

***********
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMNESTY COMMISSION
DR. MARCELO LAVENERE
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE - Brasilia, DF
Reference Process n° 2002.01.12897

Dr. Marcelo Lavenere,

I am well aware of the great importance that Mr. Augusto Boal has, as a 
writer and as an man of the theatre, both in his own country and even more 
on the international scene. Mr. Boal is the creator of the Method of the 
Theatre of the Oppressed, which is now used in more than seventy countries 
around the world, in fields as different as Pedagogy, Psychiatric Hospitals, 
Prisons, Social Work, etc.

Rarely has a theatrical Method been so useful in so many regions of the five 
continents.

I am also aware of Mr. Boal´s age (74 years old) and of the special health 
conditions that prevent him from continuing his important work around the 
world in the same pace as he did before.

I have learned with distress and astonishment, that his process to obtain 
his highly deserved legal Retirement has not yet been concluded after NINE 
YEARS since it was first presented. I do not ask for any special privilege, 
but want to be assured that you will very soon determine the immediate 
analysis of Mr. Boal's demand, as it is his legitimate right and my most 
sincere hope.

Yours Sincerely,

Full Name
Profession, City and Country
Place and date