Comments on: Sauvé du lychage

Sauvé du lychage

klangklangston — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:11:00 -0800

Saved from a lynching: Enrico Dangino, friend of Vigilante Journalist photographs a man seized by a mob and about to be set ablaze, then, with the help of his compatriot, frees him. More photographs and blogging from the ground in Kenya's current political crisis from Vigilante Journalist. via.

By: ReiToei

ReiToei — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:31:41 -0800

Jesus... did the guy live?

By: klangklangston

klangklangston — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:41:44 -0800

No idea, but he looks fine (if beat to hell).

By: Astro Zombie

Astro Zombie — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:47:45 -0800

This is a murderous look I never hope to be close enough to see.

By: trinkatot

trinkatot — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:09:51 -0800

Uh, wow. That's a lot of machetes.

By: liza

liza — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:59:08 -0800

Did you notice vigilante's name is Anne Holmes? I immediately assumed VJ was a man. The stories she must have.

By: humannaire

humannaire — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:03:15 -0800

Uh, wow. That's a lot of machetes. They're called pangas. Traditional (and scary, too). Growing up here in Key West, I used to carry one for coconuts and fish. But I put it down years ago, because a grown-up with a panga knife is just too intimidating to most people. Last time I wore it was during the hurricanes of '05. I was using it to clear fallen trees and other debris. The teevee crews always turned and focused on me going down Duval Street, shirtless on my conch cruiser bike, with a long panga blade strapped to my back.

By: kbanas

kbanas — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:20:31 -0800

Growing up here in Key West, I used to carry one for coconuts and fish. But I put it down years ago, because a grown-up with a panga knife is just too intimidating to most people. Last time I wore it was during the hurricanes of '05. I was using it to clear fallen trees and other debris. The teevee crews always turned and focused on me going down Duval Street, shirtless on my conch cruiser bike, with a long panga blade strapped to my back. You learn something new every day. That's interesting, and a pretty funny story too. Thanks!

By: urbanwhaleshark

urbanwhaleshark — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:28:33 -0800

I'm suddenly, sadly, reminded of Du'a Khalil Aswad, the young Kurdish woman murdered last year. Mercifully there was someone in this situation to help this guy out. I'm insanely angry about the former, insanely angry about the latter. I hope I would have the strength to help in a situation that Enrico found himself in, though I would never wish to be in his situation. This seems to be a reasonable summary on the politics in Kenya that might give some insight into the violence.

By: aeschenkarnos

aeschenkarnos — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:58:33 -0800

This is a murderous look I never hope to be close enough to see. Check out the happy grins on the people in the background, though. Particularly the kid in the middle.

By: madamjujujive

madamjujujive — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:17:19 -0800

Thanks for the post, klangklangston. Wow, those photographers were so courageous to intercede in mob violence like that, what an awesome display of bravery. And when you scroll through that Vigilante Journalist site, it is astounding to think of photographers having the courage to document events as they transpire. So tragic, what is happening in Kenya! For more Kenya blogging, see Insight Kenya, a blog established post-elections. The most recent posts are all about fund raising concerts, but in earlier posts, there are many dramatic and chilling photos and news reports documenting the violence and how matters have spun out of control. Here is a late-December photo essay depicting the current state of democracy in Kenya - very troubling, violence and brutality alert. Another resource is Vuma Kenya, a site by young Kenyan professionals who are trying to raise awareness and mobilize resources. The site links to blogs, eyewitness accounts, etc.

By: Civil_Disobedient

Civil_Disobedient — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:11:16 -0800

Check out the happy grins on the people in the background, though. Particularly the kid in the middle. I have unfortunately had the opportunity to see several of these sorts of mob-attacks, and it is a strangely common juxtaposition to see that kind of crazed-giddiness accompany such evil.

By: stormygrey

stormygrey — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:15:44 -0800

Vilgilante Journalist also has an amazing set of photos on her gallery page. This one on self immolation is heart breaking.

By: crapmatic

crapmatic — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:46:20 -0800

A site like ParisMatch that insists on using Flash player just to show a few small images kind of makes me want to head for the torches and pitchforks.

By: Anything

Anything — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:23:49 -0800

Does the French page or any other source explain how the photographers were able to get him out without being attacked themselves?

By: Wolof

Wolof — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:59:01 -0800

What's a "lychage"?