On April 7-8, 2011, Malalai Joya, renowned Afghan activist, returned to Southern California on the occasion of the release of her book, A Woman Among Warlords, in paperback. Part of her national tour (read report here), Joya’s time in Southern California, where Afghan Women’s Mission is based, was packed with 4 geographically diverse events attended by hundreds of people.

California State University of Los Angeles – April 7, 2011


Joya addresses a crowd of more than 400.


Mostly students and faculty attended the event.


A slide show accompanied Joya’s presentation.


A view of the audience at CSULA in the University Student Union LA Room.


A book and poster signing followed the event.


A supporter hugs Joya.

Special thanks to Students for Social Justice at CSULA and Earth LA for organizing the event.

University of Southern California – April 7, 2011


A large audience gathered at Taper Hall of Humanities, Room 201.


Joya addresses the crowd.


Joya shares an image of one-time Taliban member turned Yale University student, Sayed Rahmatullah Hashemi.


USC student and AWM intern Chan Peter Kim thanks Joya for attending and offers a token of appreciation from his fellow student organizers and himself.


A book and poster signing follows the event.


Joya signs a copy of her book, A Woman Among Warlords.


Joya interacting with audience members after her presentation.


Joya with USC student and AWM intern Chan Peter Kim.


USC student and AWM intern Alia Delpassand helps Joya with translating questions during the event.


AWM volunteer and photographer Alice Chiu looks on as Joya signs books.

Special thanks to the USC Political Student Assembly for organizing the event.

University of California at Santa Barbara – April 8, 2011


People gather outside the Multicultural Center on the UC Santa Barbara campus where Joya spoke.


Copies of Joya’s book, A Woman Among Warlords, were available for sale.


Janet Afary of UCSB’s Department of Feminist Studies introduced Joya, with Nancy Gallagher of the UCSB History Department in the background. Both co-organized the event.


Joya addresses a packed audience hall.


Hundreds of Santa Barbarans attended the event including many high school students.


Uprising interns Natalie Reyes and Chan Peter Kim staffed the book and poster sales table.


Many audience members stayed for a vigorous question-and-answer session.


Joya shares her accompanying slide show.


Dozens of people wait in line to get their books and posters signed.


Joya chats with members of the audience.

Special thanks to the UCSB Multicultural Center and Mellichamp Fund – Department of Religious Studies for organizing the event.

Golden West College, Huntington Beach – April 8, 2011


Joya addresses hundreds of Orange County residents at Golden West College.


The event was attended by Golden West’s President, Wes Bryan.


Members of the media record the event.


Joya answers questions from the audience.


Audience members gather for a book and poster signing.


Joya signs a copy of her book A Woman Among Warlords.


Joya shakes hands with a supporter.


The team at Afghan Women’s Mission that organized all four events in Southern California, posing with Joya. From left to right: Natalie Reyes, Sonali Kolhatkar (AWM Director), Malalai Joya, Chan Peter Kim, Alia Delpassand, Alice Chiu.

All photographs taken by AWM volunteer, Alice Chiu.

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