Los Angeles 12:30 a.m.
Just two hours ago...three gunmen opened fire on novelist Kola
Boof--an outspoken Sudanese-American political activist, Black
women's writer and author of the bestselling book, "Long Train
to the Redeeming Sin". In recent weeks, Muslim fundamentalists
in Sudan and America have made tenacious death threats
against Kola Boof, because
of her comments about Sudanese slavery, Islamic religion and
women's rights.
I am Yi Nee Ling (909) 414-9850...Publicist for Russom Damba.
At the present time, Federal authorities (the F.B.I.) are instructing
that the Press be given as little information as
possible...however, at the orders of my boss, Mr. Russom
Damba in Rabat, Morrocco (Kola Boof's publisher), I am
disclosing information that has been cleared as "public
knowledge". I do so in the civilian belief that I am well within the
guidelines of proper "public" disclosure.
PRESS RELEASE:
The three gunmen are described as "Olive-skinned American
teenagers". They fired four gunshots at Kola Boof and the two
African-American men who were accompan-ing her this evening.
Apparently, Ms. Boof had gone to see a law enforcement official
in "Southern California" to enquire about arranging a personal
meeting bewteen herself and prison activist/journalist Mumia
Abu Jamal. Upon leaving from law enforcement, Kola Boof and
her male friends were confronted by the three teenagers, who
were driving a mini-van and shouting in ARABIC from the
windows, "Anya Nya!" (a poison against the people) and "Traitors
of Allah die!"
Kola Boof was not...she was NOT hit by the gunshots. However.
Kola Boof herself may now face arrest...because she (in a fearful
panic) removed a gun from her shoulder bag and returned fire
on the three gunmen. Ms. Boof is not legally registered to carry a
gun--especially the semi-automatic weapon that she used. At
the time of this press release, we had no way of knowing
whether or not Ms. Boof would be arrested, and unfortunately,
there is more bad news.
Certain people, completely ridiculous people...are saying that
Kola Boof killed one of the three teenagers. This is false. I am
hereby informing you that she DID NOT kill anyone. If anyone
was hit by gunfire or killed, then it was at the hands of Federal
Agents who had no other choice than to protect the lives of Kola
Boof and her two African-American escorts (one of whom I am
told was hit). Be advised that anyone who Mis-states Ms. Boof's
liability will be sued to the fullest extent of the law. Ms. Boof
remains convinced that she will be protected by the United
States and told me just this morning, "America is my husband
now...I have come to accept that."
A formal statement by Kola Boof herself is available at the link
below...as well as recent NEWS ARTICLES that provide
important background information on the events leading up this
unfortunate evening. *The first link provides NEWS ARTICLES,
Ms. Boof's statement and interviews. Kola Boof has NOT
provided any of the information dislcosed in this or any other
press release. Ms. Boof has said nothing whatsoever regarding
this evening's events.
http://womens-studies.i8.com/favorite_links.html Or go straight to Kola Boof statement:
http://poetwomen.50megs.com/custom2.html Herewith is the most recent publicity photo of author Kola Boof,
taken on July 12th, 2002 by Jimon Webb (photo credit). We do
not expect this evening's terrorist attack against Ms. Boof to stop
the April 2003 production of the film, "Sins of a Living Woman",
which we had just announced yesterday...to star Kola Boof as a
Nigerian woman stoned to death for having sex without
marriage. Russom Damba wanted it known that he intends to
hire acclaimed filmmaker Raoul Peck (Lumumba) to direct..and
actresses Alfre Woodard, Lonette Mckee and Akosua Busia to
support Boof's star turn in the dramatic essay. Russom Damba,
an Ethiopian, has secured financing in Morrocco and Spain
(where he lives). The script had been Boof's pet project since
January of this year--and Mr. Damba was finally persuaded by
Kola Boof that the film would make a noteworthy investment. The
script, according to the film's American producer, Alicia Banks, is
"totally Oscar-caliber...an unforgettably tragic African love story".
Kola Boof, however, maintains that she is still, first and
foremost--"a women's writer, not an actress".