We know all about land grabs in Brooklyn. But Catherine Bohne, owner of Park Slope’s Community Bookstore, is currently living in Valbona, a village in Northern Albanania, where villagers are fighting the government to retain rights to land held in their families for hundreds of years.

We can help. Catherine urges Brooklynites to write letters to to the American Embassy in Tirana (see below). But first, here’s her account of what’s going on in a land very far away.

It’s Catherine, writing from an internet cafe in Bajrum Curri, Northern Albania — I’ve owed you all a long-promised email for a while now, but the longer I wait, the longer the story gets . . . . So now (typically) I’m writing to ask for your help.  As some of you know, since last July I’ve been spending a lot of time in Northern Albania.  It is the most beautiful, magical place, with some of the best people in the world (after Park Slope, of course!).  Also, typically, I’ve gotten involved in trying to help people here.  For the last 10 months that just consisted of basic stuff (websites, puttering), but in the last two weeks a situation has blown up here.  And of course I’ve sort of ended up in the middle of it.  The Valbona Valley where I’ve been half-living is traditionally one of the toughest places in Europe – they don’t call it these the Accursed Mountains for nothing!  Perhaps in order to survive the people have become both adapted to the land AND fiercely protective of each other — really GOOD to each other.  And to me!  Now the local government –  which, like most government inAlbania, is very corrupt – is moving to grab land in Valbona.  And the Selimaj, my adopted family, are standing up to them.  This really is the little guy fighting against huge forces.  Will you help?

Here are the two videos I made so far which summarize the situation – I was up all night making the last one, so I’m sort of blotto right now, and I think the videos will be clearer than I will be.

Valbona Land Grab – Part 1 (5/9/10)
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=WRH6zy7sYuE

Valbona Land Grab – Part 2 (5/10/10) (This one doesn’t seem to be working currently – but keep checking!)
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=CDWETQBCJtU

And yes, in case you were wondering, it WAS me with the camera, so Islam Byberi was threatening old men and a smallish woman in a little pink sundress.  Nice, eh?  It’s worth pointing out two other facts:

1.  50% of the population of Valbona is under the age of 18, the highest percentage of young people in any village in the Margegaj Komun (local district).  So the old men you see fighting in these videos are not just protecting their own interests, they are fighting for the future of the children of Valbona.

2.  The Komun has published reports to various foreign investors promising over 80 infrastructure projects to benefit the people of Margegaj Komun and Valbona specifically, including really important things like bringing running water to the houses of Valbona village.  They were supposed to start work this summer.  They haven’t.  Instead, they’re rushing to build this tourism complex (with Ping Pong) which (you may have noticed) employs mainly members of the Head of the Komun’s family (who live in Shoshan, not Valbona).

I have more video from the protest at the work site that I’ll send as soon as I can.  It shows the police arriving on Saturday, May 8th, and declaring that all work should stop until a judgment is made by the local court on Tuesday (tomorrow).  You should probably also know that yesterday, while I was in town frantically uploading the first of these videos, the Selimaj returned to the work site, and met workers arriving to continue construction, against the police order.  They police actually came with them, and the Selimaj protested.  The police upheld the order to stop work, at the cost of three Selimaj volunteering for arrest – Zenel Ahmeti (45), Gent Ademi (35) and Naim Selimaj (29).  While in police custody, the Chief of Police entered their holding cell, asked “Which one of you is Gent?” and then hit him.  This is of course illegal.  And if you’re wondering who the Chief of Police is . . . yup.  Another Byberi.  (Gent’s out now and charges are being filed.)

Here’s what you can do:  Please write to the American Embassy in Tirana.  Here are the two addresses I could find online.  Maybe you have access to better addresses?

ACSTirana@state. gov

Tirana-Webcontact@ usaid.gov

Phone: +(355) 4 2247 285

For good measure, you could cc the Albania media (and any other media you know):
fiksfare@top- channel.tv,
topstory@top- channel.tv,
shqip@top-channel. tv,

AND you could cc the two funders of the project:

Council for Europe Development Bank : info@coebank. org
Fondit Shqiptar i Zhvilliment:   adf@albaniandf. org

You could say something like:
(although I’m certainly not the best expert on how to write these things)

Dear Ambassador Withers:

I am writing to urge you to use all possible pressure to encourage the Albanian Government to address the ongoing situation in Valbona, Tropoja.  I know the people of Northern Albania have a deep affection for the American people following the events in Kosovo and that they believe we can help them when no one else will.  In honor of this friendship I believe the American Embassy should take an interest in the unethical actions of the local government, particularly as threats appear to be being made to an American Citizen.

Here are two videos which give more information.
Valbona Land Grab – Part 1:
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=WRH6zy7sYuE
Valbona Land Grab – Part 2:
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=CDWETQBCJtU

Thank you sincerely for your urgent attention.

That’s it!  Don’t worry about me though – the Selimaj won’t let anything happen to me, and I’m actually enjoying fighting a good fight.  (Alfred keeps trying to protect me, which I keep trying to point out is useless since although it’s very sweet, I really don’t know how to deal with it.)  I figure that if I get threatened, I must be doing something right!   Anyhow, I’ll be home soon and tell you all a lot more about it.  (Meanwhile I’ve got a baby rabbit in my hat and have to run down to the veterinary clinic to find out how to feed it . . . Eshte githmone dicka – “It’s always something”!)

The rest of the time, the valley really is the most peaceful place!  You should come visit!  (look at www.journeytovalbon a.com)

Much THANKS, on behalf of the People of Valbona,
and from me too!

All Love,
Catherine