"This book is an invitation—an invitation to discover the potential of a simple video camera and the power it holds to spark social change. Every day, all around the world, activists draw upon video in creative, strategic ways and use the results to ensure that silent voices are heard and important reforms are made. In this book we will show you how they do this, and how you can do it too [...] These chapters will walk you through the process of “video advocacy.” By this phrase we mean the use of video as an essential tool in social justice activism—one that can be deployed as strategically and effectively as more traditional forms of “advocacy” referring to the range of ways to exert pressure for a defi ned goal of change, including persuasion, relationship-building, lobbying, organizing, and mobilizing. We will draw on the inspiring real-life experiences of social justice video advocates worldwide—groups that have worked with the human rights organization WITNESS where I work, and a range of other wellknown and lesser-known fi gures in the activist universe. Throughout you’ll fi nd an emphasis on the emotional and empathetic aspect of video, on its humanizing ability to communicate across boundaries. We also stress the need for collaboration within organizations and among outside allies to more successfully facilitate the production and use of video." (Introduction, page xii-xiii)