There once was a time in American history when ordinary citizens like you and me thought it not only their right, but also their responsibility, to make it known that they disagreed with the actions of their government. While some staged sit-ins, protest rallies and marches, others took more drastic measures. They felt that only dramatic action like bombings would garner the attention of Washington politicos who had heretofore ignored the will of the people. Ring any bells? The idea of armed revolution is nothing new, but the world over, where violence is used as a tool to fight the status quo, we now call the individuals engaged in this activity terrorists.

I’ve seen enough documentary evidence from Colombia, Palestine, Cuba, and the US to think that, while I don’t agree with destroying property or killing people, there are people engaged in these activities who feel so disenfranchised that they can see no other path. Trying to engage in compromise with government is  met with silence. Until they start misbehaving, governments pay no attention to them. (I’d be curious if anyone has an example of a time and place where the disenfranchised were actually brought into the fold of discourse.) Were the Weatherman right to do the things they did here in America? No, but there were reasons. They served their time in prison and many have gone on to become thought-leaders, including Bill Ayers. While Ayers is rightfully keeping quiet, please take a moment to read filmmaker Sam Green’s thoughts over at AJ Schnack’s blog and I’d also highly recommend to anyone concerned about Obama and/or Ayers to watch Green’s film The Weather Underground.

Andrew Berends, an established, award-winning American filmmaker and journalist from New York, was detained Sunday August 31st by the Nigerian military along with his translator, Samuel George, and Joe Bussio, the manager of a local bar. Andrew entered Nigeria legally in April 2008 to complete a documentary film.

Andrew was held in custody without food, sleep, or representation, and with limited water for 36 hours. He was questioned by the army, the police, and the State Security Services in Port Harcourt. He was then temporarily released, with an order to the SSS office at 9AM Tuesday morning. The State Security Services has confiscated his passport and personal property. Andrew’s translator, Samuel George, remained in custody over night.

The US State Department is aware of the situation, and an attorney has been retained on Andrew?s behalf. We, Andrew’s friends, family, and colleagues, are deeply concerned that he has been held without cause and are calling for his safe treatment and immediate release.