Director of 'Kony 2012' video hospitalised
By News Wires the 17/03/2012 - 07:43
The director of a viral video about Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony was
hospitalised for exhaustion after witnesses saw him running through the
streets of San Diego in his underwear. The video has drawn fire for
oversimplifying the 26-year-old conflict.
AP - A co-founder of the group behind a viral video about a brutal African
warlord was detained by police and hospitalized after witnesses saw him
running through streets in his underwear, screaming and banging his fists on
the pavement.
Jason Russell of Invisible Children was hospitalized for exhaustion less
than two weeks after the release of the 30-minute video he narrated about
warlord Joseph Kony, said Ben Keesey, the groups chief executive officer.
Jason Russell was unfortunately hospitalized yesterday suffering from
exhaustion, dehydration and malnutrition, Keesey said. He is now receiving
medical care and is focused on getting better. The past two weeks have taken
a severe emotional toll on all of us, Jason especially, and that toll
manifested itself in an unfortunate incident yesterday.
Jasons passion and his work have done so much to help so many, and we are
devastated to see him dealing with this personal health issue, the
statement read.
San Diego police dispatcher transcripts show neighbors began calling around
11:30 a.m. Thursday to report that a man was running around in his underwear
in the citys Pacific Beach neighborhood.
(Subject) is at the corner, banging his hands on the ground, screaming,
incoherent, the transcript continues. People are trying to calm him down,
hes been stopping traffic.
Police Lt. Andra Brown said a 33-year-old man was detained and taken to a
hospital for medical evaluation. He was never arrested, and no charges are
planned.
At this point, the police departments involvement in the matter is done,
Brown said.
Russell did some irrational things brought on by extreme exhaustion and
dehydration, his wife, Danica, said in a statement that denied alcohol or
drug use triggered the behavior.
We thought a few thousand people would see the film, but in less than a
week, millions of people around the world saw it. While that attention was
great for raising awareness about Joseph Kony, it also brought a lot of
attention to Jason and, because of how personal the film is, many of the
attacks against it were also very personal, and Jason took them very hard,
his wifes statement read.
Russell, a San Diego native and graduate of the University of Southern
Californias film school, narrates the video, which has been viewed more
than 80 million times on YouTube. In the video, Russell talks to his young
son, Gavin, about Kony and the Lords Resistance Army.
Gavins birth is shown at the beginning of the film. At one point, the boy
sums up what his dad does for a living.
You stop the bad guys from being mean, he says.
At the videos conclusion Russell says, At the end of my life I want to say
that the world we left behind is one Gavin can be proud of, one that doesnt
allow Joseph Konys and child soldiers.
Gavin replies: Im going to be like you dad. Im going to come with you to
Africa.
The videos overnight success has brought heightened scrutiny to the San
Diego-based nonprofit over its tactics and spending practices.
The group has been criticized for not spending enough directly on the people
it intends to help and for oversimplifying the 26-year-old conflict
involving the LRA and its leader, Kony, a bush fighter wanted by the
International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
The group acknowledges the video overlooks many nuances but said it
functions as a first entry point that puts the conflict in an easily
understandable format.
Keesey, the chief executive, released a video on Monday to respond to
questions about the groups finances, including the amount of money it
spends on travel and operations. He said money that directly benefits the
cause accounted for more than 80 percent of its spending from 2007 to 2011.
I understand why a lot of people are wondering, Is this just some slick,
kind of fly-by-night, slacktivist thing? when actually its not at all,
Keesey said. Its connected to a really deep, thoughtful, very intentional
and strategic campaign.
Russell has perhaps been Invisible Childrens most public face since
founding the group in 2005.
We will always love and support Jason, and we ask that you give his entire
family privacy during this difficult time, Keesey said Friday.
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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