18 February 2020
Dear Friends,
Ilkhom Theatre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is now under siege.
Many of you may have known or know of Mark Weil, the founder of Ilkhom and his theatre.
 Mark, had immigrated to Seattle in 1990s. He ended up going back and forth—I had the pleasure of inviting him to one of the Gatherings at Double Edge’s Farm in the early 2000s.
Mark was murdered going home from the final rehearsal of his new staging of ORESTIA, in the entrance to his flat in Tashkent. The first take was that his killing was inspired by homophobic anger because Mark had led a gay group to simply meet in his theatre. Later, the assailants were said have responded to his portrayal of Muhammad in his play, IMITATING THE KORAN.
The theatre has carried on, and continues to be an island of independent thought and art in Uzbekistan.
Now, a week ago, the government is trying to take away the long-time home of Ilkhom.
We have been in contact with the theatre’s Deputy General Manager Irina Bharat, and our man in Russia (via Crete) John Freedman.
Ilkhom Theater has just launched a website with information about what is going on there.
http://saveilkhom.com/en/
They are asking for folks to click on the red SAVE button, and add you name to a growing list of supporters (at this moment over 3,800 have responded from around the world). Then, click a social media icon to "share" and your name will be added.
I urge you to add your name today.
Stay strong
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