The year was 1968, the occasion the Mexico City Olympics. In one of the most powerful moments in Olympic history, Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the Black Power Salute alongside their silent (but active) supporter, Australian Silver Medalist Peter Norman.
In a pre-medal awarding deliberation among the three, Tommie Smith (Gold) and John Carlos (Bronze) signaled their intent to make a statement of defiance and Peter indicated he would be supporting them. Smith and Carlos augment their political statement by appearing on the dais shoeless and, with Tommie and John, Peter Norman sports the badge of the Olympic Project for Human Rights.
For their trouble they were ejected from the stadium afterward, and lifetime bans for the two issued by the IOC. All three were ostracized in their respective countries in the uproar that followed.
Yet a powerful statement had been made in front of an international audience in a time of apartheid in South Africa and segregated teams, and international lifetime friendships forged.
SALUTE is a film by Matt Norman, the Olympic champion’s nephew. It tells the story of Peter Norman’s solidarity and an unforgettable moment in recent history.
The 
Qalandia check point is the main check point into Jerusalem from Ramallah. It is worse than I remember it to be. A humiliating example of every day life for the Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories, in fact I think that animals are often treated better than these people. I had met a guy in Ramallah, who was traveling back to Jerusalem and for this I was grateful. This meant that I did not have to go through the check point alone.
