Joe Bussio and Samuel George's Legal Fees

Last Friday we surpassed our fundraising goal to cover Samuel and Joe’s legal fees.

Thanks to everyone who helped us reach our goal. This doesn’t only cover the legal expenses incurred. It makes a statement that we believe translators, fixers, drivers, and other kind people should not be targeted, intimidated, harassed, detained, or worse, simply for assisting journalists working in unsafe environments. It is unacceptable for a legitimate democratic government to level bogus charges of espionage against journalists and media workers any time they report on a story which that government finds unfavorable or embarrassing.

Over 100 individuals joined Reporters Without Borders, Coalition to Protect Journalists, and The Correspondents Fund to raise $11,000 because we believe that those that assist us in the field need to be defended and not persecuted.

The ordeal seems to have ended positively for Joe and Samuel who are not expected to have to return to the S.S.S. offices in Port Harcourt. But, there is always a lingering uncertainty for those who remain behind.

We are moving forward with post-production on DELTA BOYS. It was during the course of production on this documentary film that local authorities in Port Harcourt, and ultimately the federal State Security Services, succeeded in shutting us down. Fortunately, six months worth of footage had already been sent to New York, and we are determined to complete the film.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting Samuel and Joe, and for all manner of support I received from so many people during this ordeal.

On August 31st, Andrew Berends was arrested in Port Harcourt, Nigeria with his translator Samuel George, while shooting his documentary film Delta Boys. Later, the Nigerian police arrested Andrew's friend, Joe Bussio, for no other reason than Joe had given Andrew a place to stay.

Andrew has since been sent back to the States by the Nigerian government, Joe has been cleared, but Samuel's case is still pending, as the State Security Services continue to ask him to return to their offices sporadically.

Samuel and Joe have incurred $10,000 in legal fees in the course of this ordeal, in addition to $1000 in expenses incurred by Andrew and others. We have raised $2,000 from the support of Reporters Without Borders, and $3,000 from the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Correspondents Fund combined. We have also received a handful of cash donations from friends. Now, we're trying to raise the rest of the money. The $5,830 listed is the amount left to raise. Contributions made here will automatically be added to the total, and we'll lower the goal as money is raised outside of this venue.

It is important that translators and local journalists around the world know that they can do their jobs without fear for their lives, their families, or the expenses they will incur on our behalf.