"Pray the Devil Back to Hell," a documentary film of the astonishing story of the Liberian women who took on the warlords and regime of Dictator Charles Taylor in the midst of a brutal civil war, will be shown on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at both 7 and 9 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium. The free event is sponsored by the Ashland Center for Nonviolence and Office of Institutional Diversity at Ashland University.
Liberia's Nobel Peace Prize laureates Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Leyman Gbowee were instrumental in capturing the emotion and passion of their fellow activists. "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" chronicles the remarkable story of the courageous Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their shattered country in 2003.
Thousands of women - ordinary mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters, both Christian and Muslim - came together to pray for peace and then staged a silent protest outside of the Presidential Palace. Armed only with white T-shirts and the courage of their convictions, they demanded a resolution to the country's civil war. Their actions were a critical element in bringing about an agreement during the stalled peace talks.
"This film epitomizes the impact of persistence and determination... it's awe-inspiring to see these women making a difference," said Dottie Collura, assistant director of the Ashland Center for Nonviolence.
A story of sacrifice, unity and transcendence, "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" honors the strength and perseverance of the women of Liberia. Inspiring, uplifting, and most of all motivating, it is a compelling testimony of how grassroots activism can alter the history of nations.
For more information about these events, or to learn more about the Ashland Center for Nonviolence, email ACN at acn@ashland.edu, or visit ACN online at www.ashland.edu/acn and/or www.facebook.com/acn.
