--Aug 16-17, Sat-Sun, North Ave Beach pedestrian bridge
PROTEST AT CHICAGO'S AIR & WATER SHOW
Leaflet to stop the war, against militarism & recruitment, fund human needs
Sponsor: 8th Day Center for Justice, many others
Info: 312-641-5151

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Teresita Ayala

June 19, 2008 312-489-0505

Hip Hop Heroes Rodstarz and G1 of Rebel Diaz Attacked and Arrested by NYPD

Yesterday, June 18, 2008, Rodstarz and G1 were walking peacefully down the street with their friend visiting from Chicago when they came upon police officers from the 41st Precinct in the Bronx in the middle of a sting against street vendors, aggressively confiscating the fruit and vegetables of street vendor. When they approached the officers to ask why the vendor was being treated in that manner and asked for their badge numbers, the officers turned their aggressions on the duo. After beating them and arresting them in front of over a dozen witnesses, they were taken to the 41st Precinct.

Within hours, over 75 friends, community members and activists gathered outside the precinct (1035 Longwood Avenue at Southern Blvd.) to sing, chant, drum and march for over 4 hours, demanding that all charges be dropped and that Rodstarz and G1 be immediately released. After withstanding a rainstorm, a rainbow offered hope that community resistance will overcome police brutality.

The following morning more than 25 people gathered at the Bronx County Criminal Court for their arraignment. The men are charged with two misdemeanors: obstruction of justice and resisting arrest, and are scheduled for court on September 3rd, 2008.

A cell phone video of the arrest was released to news circuits, and friends have already compiled video montage of the arrest, protest and the duo's music, available at Rodstarz and G1.

Brothers Rodstarz and G1 are no strangers to repression and resistance. Sons of Chilean political exiles, they grew up on Chicago's north side, where police brutality was a daily reality. Upon their move to the South Bronx in early 2006 they were invited to perform their revolutionary music at the historic immigrant rights march in New York City, in front of 500,000 people. Today, Rebel Diaz travels throughout the world performing and organizing, using Hip Hop as a tool for education and social change around immigration, education and housing issues.

More information on the group can be found at RebelDiaz.com or Myspace: Rebel Diaz

Press are invited to hear directly from the duo and supporters at a press conference today at 4pm at Mothers on the Move, 928 Intervale Ave, Bronx, NY 10459.


1194515213_l.jpg picture by lahtereantigetstory.jpg picture by lahtere

http://www.myspace.com/lahtere

http://www.myspace.com/hiphopkitchen


: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Jesus Gonzalez
Police Accountability Organizer
Youth Power Project
E-mail: Jesus.Gonzalez@maketheroadny.org
http://www.maketheroadny.org

Standing Silent Project: FLYER (June Events in Chicago)

The Silent Nation Project was inspired by the questions and feedback generated following screenings of the documentary, Standing Silent Nation. The documentary chronicles the story of a Lakota family as they try to grow industrial hemp on their land in South Dakota. It's a story of sovereignty, treaty rights, human rights, and economic independence through the growing of a sustainable and non-drug crop, that the United States falsely classifies as marijuana.


THE INTRODUCTION
Saturday June 7, 2008 7:00 pm-12:00 am
Location: Yolot Atecocolli Cultural Center, 2005 S. Blue Island - Chicago, IL 60608
PART I: Che Christ moderates a discussion with activists and filmmakers.
PART II: Owe Aku presentation on sovereignty with Standing Silent Nation screening. Discussion continues.
Comunidad, a series of documentaries directed by Indigenous women in Guatemala.
PART III: Live Music, Drumming, DJs, Raffles, and closing remarks.


CREATING SOLUTIONS
Tuesday June 10, 2008 6:00 to 10:00 pm
Location: Catedral Café, 2500 S Christiana Ave - Chicago, IL 60623

PART I: Ally with others participating in positive consumer choices. Featuring a Local and Global Green Market. Presentations on Solutions for Social Change.
PART II: Presentation of Lakota History and Activism. Videos from Lakota Media Project, Chiapas Media Project, and Maya Pedal/Working Bikes.
PART III: Drums, Live Music by Che Christ, and Open-Mic Jam Session.


THE CULMINATION FEST
Saturday June 14, 7:00pm-2:00am
Location: 1100 West Cermak Space – Chicago, IL 60608

A hosted-showcase featuring local music (Los Vicios de Papa, Fandanguero, Che Christ, DJ David Chavez, Rebel Starz, DJ Scapegoat, and more!), art, raffles, informational tables, photography, small screen movies, performance, video installation, dancing, and more! Also, take the hemp seed challenge!


Proceeds from all three events support the following efforts:

Rebuilding the White Plume family home
They lost their house to a fire in December 2007.

The Peoples Media Project: an organization of artists, musicians, and filmmakers that collaborates with people on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota to create art, music, and film with the intention of inspiring social change and human rights for all

Maya Pedal: a Guatemalan organization that recycles used bicycles to build pedal-powered machines—bicimáquinas—which support and help facilitate the work of self-sustainable projects, also promoting the use of alternative transportation using bicycles and tricycles

The Lakota Media Project: an initiative of Prairie Dust Films and Owe Aku to train Lakota youth in documentary and video making tools. It encourages the development of videos about Lakota from a Lakota perspective

Myspace: Standing Silent Nation documentary film

Tristan James, Celine Z, AJ Viola: ALL AGES SHOW!! FREE!! Elastic, Sat. Feb 23


Tristan James with Celine Z
in SURROUND SOUND with laser light effects
Visual projections by AJ Viola

Opening: DJ Itch 13

ALL AGES!
FREE!!
BYOB (over 21, IDs checked)

Saturday, February 23
8:00 to 10:30 pm

ELASTIC: 2830 N. Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago

LEAVES FALL by Tristan James is filled with incredible musical talent:
Tristan James, vocals, trombone, didgeridoo, guitar, sound effects; Dan Godston, trumpet, percussion; Matthew Nunez, piano; avery r. young, vocals; Syntax, vocals; Ines Kembell, vocals; Isis Hiver, flute, vocals; Matt Roan, drums

Elastic
2830 N. Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Fl.
Chicago
Elastic Arts Foundation

proletariatproductions.com
info@proletariatproductions.com

Teatro Luna & Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
present OYE-Listen!

with Territory by AJ Viola & Carol Ng
& other female artists whose work examines social issues and strives to change attitudes and strengthen the human community

Monday, November 26
7 to 9 pm
Hull-House Museum
800 S. Halsted
Residents' Dining Hall

FREE!


TERRITORY by Carol Ng & AJ Viola
an interdisciplinary performance exploring absence and presence, and familiarization and alienation


INFO:

http://www.territory.wikispaces.com





PAST SHOWS--

Host:
Oakton Community College
Oakton Women's Studies Program

Women's Festival of the Arts:
Symbolism, Myth & Ritual
A juried exhibition of art by women: Oct. 30 to Nov. 9.

NOV. 1, 9:30 a.m.--

TERRITORY by Carol Ng & AJ Viola
an interdisciplinary performance exploring absence and presence, and familiarization and alienation
http://www.territory.wikispaces.com


Thursday, November 1, 2007
9:30am-10:30am

Location:
Oakton Community College
Koehnline Museum of Art
1600 East Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL
847.376.7061
www.oakton.edu

Host: Mess Hall
2nd Annual Chicago Calling Arts Festival
Saturday, October 27
5 p.m.

www.chicagocalling.org

Chicago Calling Arts Festival

Thursday, October 25
Friday, October 26
Saturday, October 27

various locations

ChicagoCalling.org

Mess Hall
6932 North Glenwood Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626
773-465-4033
'MORSE' stop on the RED line

tentative time: 4 to 5 pm
Saturday, October 27, 2007

Territory
by Carol Ng & AJ Viola

An interdisciplinary performance, exploring the idea of dialectical relationship between the notions of presence and absence, alienation and familiarization.


AJ VIOLA: An interdisciplinary artist, AJ Viola integrates poetry and photography to create projected backdrops for performance artists and musicians, 2D collages and album art. She believes the collaborative process in both art making and social justice activism empower both individuals and community. AJ is a teaching artist in Chicago elementary schools, and has also led arts workshops with Gallery 37, Snow City Arts Foundation, Young Chicago Authors, Evanston Arts Center and the Chicago Abused Women Coalition. She is pursuing an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and Media at Columbia College.

CAROL NG: Born and raised in Hong Kong , Carol Ng is a Chicago-based interdisciplinary and performing artist, art educator, and community activist. She received a Master's degree of Arts in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2007, a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Columbia College Chicago in 2004. As a trained classical player for Pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument, she performed with local modern dance choreographers in 2002 and 2003 at Links Hall and The Duncan YMCA Chernin Center for the Arts in Chicago; performance pieces include 21 A.D. Asian Festival, 3 Threads, and Where is My Heel?. Carol is currently an Adjunct Faculty member at Oakton Community College and Roosevelt University, as well as an Art Educator at the Silk Road Theater Project.


ALSO

Women's Art Show
"Symbolism, Myths, Rituals"
October 30 to November 9

Oakton Community College
1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines

Thursday, November 1
9:30am
"Territory" by Carol Ng & AJ Viola

100,000 March Against Iraq War in Washington
200 Arrested in Dramatic Mass Die-In



Sept 15 crowd shot


September 15
Iraq Veterans Against the War speaking at the Sept. 15 rally



Yesterday, nearly 100,000 people -- led by anti-war Iraq veterans, military families and others -- marched from the White House to the Capitol in Washington, D.C. to demand an immediate end to the occupation of Iraq. The march concluded with a dramatic "die-in" of 5,000 people surrounding the Capitol. Almost 200 people were arrested when police prevented them taking an anti-war message to Congress.

People marched shoulder-to-shoulder on eight-lane-wide Pennsylvania Avenue, with the densely packed march stretching more than 10 blocks. It was a historic action and a step forward for the anti-war movement.

Protesters surged onto the Capitol's south lawn and up the steps where they were met by a police line. There, Iraq veterans conducted a solemn ceremony to memorialize the U.S. soldiers and Iraqis killed in the war. Over 5,000 people then laid down in a symbolic "die-in" -- one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in recent years.

One hundred ninety-seven people, including dozens of veterans and activists, were arrested when they tried to deliver their anti-war message to Congress and were stopped by the police. Among the arrested were Adam Kokesh, Liam Madden, Jeff Millard, and Garrett Reppenhagen of Iraq Veterans Against the War; Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism); Ann Wright, former U.S. Army Colonel; Michael Prysner, Iraq war veteran and ANSWER activist in Florida; union president Gloria La Riva; and Eugene Puryear, Howard University student and National Coordinator of Youth & Student ANSWER. Police pepper-sprayed demonstrators without provocation.

This mass action came on the heels of the pro-war Petraeus report to Congress and Bush's wholehearted endorsement of the report. Meanwhile, the war rages on, destroying Iraqi society. Nearly 4,000 U.S. solidiers and up to 1 million Iraqis have died since the U.S. invasion in March 2003.

Many organizations and individuals joined together to sponsor the protest in Washington, D.C. timed to coincide with the Petraeus report on the "surge" in Iraq, including the ANSWER Coalition; Ramsey Clark; Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation; Mounzer Sleiman, Vice Chair, National Council of Arab Americans; Cindy Sheehan; Camp Casey Peace Institute; Cynthia McKinney; Veterans for Peace (National); Garett Reppenhagen, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Chair of Board of Directors; Tina Richards, CEO of Grassroots America; Rev. Lenox Yearwood, CEO of Hip Hop Caucus; Code Pink; Father Roy Bourgeois and Eric LeCompte, School of Americas Watch; Al-Awda, The Palestine Right of Return Coalition; Kevin Zeese, Democracy Rising; Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Hutto, co-founder Appeal for Redress; Liam Madden, Pres., Boston Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War and co-founder of Appeal for Redress; Malik Rahim, founder of Common Ground Collective, New Orleans; Howard Zinn, Author and Historian; Carlos & Melida Arredondo, Gold Star Families for Peace and hundreds of other organizations and individuals.


Thousands March in D.C. War Protest
By Matthew Barakat

WASHINGTON (AP) — Several thousand anti-war demonstrators marched through downtown Washington on Saturday, clashing with police at the foot of the Capitol steps where at least 160 protesters were arrested.

The group marched from the White House to the Capitol to demand an end to the Iraq war. Their numbers stretched for blocks along Pennsylvania Avenue, and they held banners and signs and chanted, "What do we want? Troops out. When do we want it? Now."

Army veteran Justin Cliburn, 25, of Lawton, Okla., was among a contingent of Iraq veterans in attendance.

"We're occupying a people who do not want us there," Cliburn said of Iraq. "We're here to show that it isn't just a bunch of old hippies from the 60s who are against this war."

Counterprotesters lined the sidewalks behind metal barricades. There were some heated shouting matches between the two sides.

The arrests came after protesters lay down on the Capitol lawn in what they called a "die in" — with signs on top of their bodies to represent soldiers killed in Iraq. When police took no action, some of the protesters started climbing over a barricade at the foot of the Capitol steps.

Many were arrested without a struggle after they jumped over the waist-high barrier. But some grew angry as police with shields and riot gear attempted to push them back. At least two people were showered with chemical spray. Protesters responded by throwing signs and chanting: "Shame on you."

The number of arrests by Capitol Police on Saturday was much higher than previous anti-war rallies in Washington this year. Five people were arrested at a protest outside the Pentagon in March when they walked onto a bridge that had been closed off to accommodate the demonstration, then refused to leave. And at a rally in January, about 50 demonstrators blocked a street near the Capitol, but they were dispersed without arrests.

The protesters gathered earlier Saturday near the White House in Lafayette Park with signs saying "End the war now" and calling for President Bush's impeachment. The rally was organized by the ANSWER Coalition and other groups.

Organizers estimated that more than 100,000 people attended the rally and march. That number could not be confirmed; police did not give their own estimate. But there appeared to be tens of thousands of people in attendance.

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan told the crowd is was time to be assertive.

"It's time to lay our bodies on the line and say we've had enough," she said. "It's time to shut this city down."

About 13 blocks away, nearly 1,000 counter-protesters gathered near the Washington Monument, frequently erupting in chants of "U-S-A" and waving American flags.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert "Buzz" Patterson, speaking from a stage to crowds clad in camouflage, American flag bandanas and Harley Davidson jackets, said he wanted to send three messages.

"Congress, quit playing games with our troops. Terrorists, we will find you and kill you," he said. "And to our troops, we're here for you, and we support you."

Source: sept15.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/14/07

Media Contact: Linda Solotaire, 847.809.6301
Linda@solorohm.net

Avram Eisen Gallery gets 'Joie de Vivre'

Chicago - Joie de Vivre: A Meditation on New Orleans, Katrina & the US exhibit and screenings will re-open on Saturday, September 15, 2007 6pm-11pm, at the new Avram Eisen Gallery, in partnership with Morpho Gallery at 5216 N. Damen Ave in Chicago, 60625. The brainchild of Michelle Mashon, the exhibit was part of the multimedia evening of music, visual art, and performance presented by Striding Lion InterArts Workshop at Quennect4 this past Saturday, September 8, 2007.

The overwhelming response to this important work inspired Mr. Eisen to present the show in his new gallery. Additionally, he is ensuring that 100% of the sales of the art go directly to the artists (mostly displaced New Orleans natives).

The show will run from September 15 to 27, 2007 with a closing night reception on Thursday 9/27/07 from 6pm-8pm. For more information call 773.307.0273 or visit avrameisengallery.com

Avram Eisen Gallery is located at 5216 N. Damen Ave just north of W. Foster Ave. in Chicago, 60625. Gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays 12pm-6pm, Saturdays 12pm-8pm and by appointment. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 773-307-0273 or visit http://www.avrameisengallery.com. CTA: closest to the Brown Line-Damen stop or take Foster bus 92 or Damen bus 50.



FEATURING WORK BY NEW ORLEANS VISUAL ARTISTS: Melissa & Lindsay Cook w/ Philip Matsikas, Louise Le Bourgeois, Gerald Haessig, Luz-Marie Lopez, Karen Crain, Lindsey Meyers, Michelle Mashon, Jeff St. Romain, Mark Grote, Natalie Sciortino, Mark Wallent, Tasheka Arceneaux, J. Stirling Barrett
FILM & MULTIMEDIA ARTISTS: Tim Best, Julie Downey (AJ Viola)*, Byron Durham & Brandon Ross, Brandon Hutchinson & Tommy Foster, & Roxana Walker-Canton & Tina Morton

*La Résilience
multimedia reflection on the enduring beauty of the natural world
by AJ Viola
with New Orleans photography by Karen Bailey, Scott Eustis, Brandon Hutchinson, Louise LeBourgeois, James Mashon & Rita Posselt & Chicago photography by AJ Viola
ajviola.myphotoalbum.com

PRESS RELEASE [For Immediate Release]
_______________________________________

Proletariat Productions
P.O. Box 12968, Chicago IL 60612

The Art of Movement Making
Art, Action, Propaganda and Pleasure

JULY 25, 2007--- Artists of all disciplines working for positive
social change will converge to develop strategies to more effectively
impact society at the Art of Movement Making (AMM) event, hosted by
Proletariat Productions, on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the
Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash, Columbia College, Chicago.

The AMM will begin with intimate workshops from 11:30 to 4:30 p.m.,
in which artists who are actively involved in social change movements
will discuss their work and its efficacy in steering the course of
society. AMM panelists will lead these forums, which will be attended
by co-panelists and a limited number of invited guests. The small
group setting will allow artists to thoroughly review the impact of
their own work, or that of a particular genre or issue.

The public program will kick off at 5:00 p.m. (doors open at 4:45
p.m.) with keynote speaker Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., Prisoners Of
Conscience Committee. AMM artists will perform music, poetry, and
dance, and present film clips and visual art, followed by interactive
discussions on the work as it relates to the societal circumstances
that inspired it, and its effect on influencing change.

AMM was created to provide a setting that encourages conversation and
solidarity for artists and activists, to seek points of unity, and
develop strategies to effectively collaborate in like-minded pursuits.

AMM was developed by Proletariat Productions founder, musician and
recording engineer Tristan James. He noticed that many artists with
similar left-leaning political ideals were spreading efforts thinly,
in support of many progressive issues such as fighting for social
justice and against imperialism. He also noted his own role in this
trend, "I tend to become isolated from others working toward the same
goals. AMM will bring many artist-activists together to build a
united front."

James says, "I think that pleasure is one of the basic functions of
art. Creating, buying, participating in and experiencing art can be
pleasurable ways of presenting and receiving messages."

Participants include Mars Caulton, poet, vocalist and educator, Tara
Betts, internationally known poet and educator originally from
Chicago, AJViola, visual artist, writer and educator, Michelle
Mashon, visual artist, capoeira dancer, and educator, George Bailey,
professor of English, Columbia College, Syntax, revolutionary hip hop
artist and educator, Stelios Valavanis, musician and activist and
Lantern, musician, Agents of Change (band). Representatives from the
Voices and Faces project will host a table, to present their CD and
book projects that support sexual abuse awareness.

The evening program is free and open to the public.

AMM is funded by a Fire This Time grant through the Crossroads Fund
and Proletariat Productions.

Contact:
Tristan James: info@proletariatproductions.com
http://www.proletariatproductions.com
Phone: (312) 493-1345
eFax: (347) 412-1345

***

About Proletariat Productions, NFP
Proletariat Productions, NFP is a socially conscious not-for-profit
organization that specializes in music recording, production, and
artist promotion; we offer education and consultation services for
youth and adults at beginner and professional levels. We continually
build our network of artists of all disciplines, reaching to those
with a passion for discovery and teaching others.

Proletariat Productions also runs a community record label that works
to produce and develop talents that will create culture of positive
change. The label works closely with its artists to create the most
fair and positive relationship we can offer. Our artists are not just
products; they are friends and members of our organization.

We are also dedicated to working with the community to create a
culture of positive change. This is possible by offering as fair and
affordable services as possible, and by engaging in dialogue with
talent about artistic content, and its potential impact. By working
closely with the artists in our network, we build positive
relationships, develop friendships and form alliances.

More Than 190 Arrested at DC Protest

By Matthew Barakat
The Associated Press

Sunday 16 September 2007

Washington - Several thousand anti-war demonstrators marched through downtown Washington on Saturday, clashing with police at the foot of the Capitol steps where more than 190 protesters were arrested.

The group marched from the White House to the Capitol to demand an end to the Iraq war. Their numbers stretched for blocks along Pennsylvania Avenue, and they held banners and signs and chanted, "What do we want? Troops out. When do we want it? Now."

Army veteran Justin Cliburn, 25, of Lawton, Okla., was among a contingent of Iraq veterans in attendance.

"We're occupying a people who do not want us there," Cliburn said of Iraq. "We're here to show that it isn't just a bunch of old hippies from the 60s who are against this war."

Counterprotesters lined the sidewalks behind metal barricades. There were some heated shouting matches between the two sides.

The arrests came after protesters lay down on the Capitol lawn in what they called a "die in" - with signs on top of their bodies to represent soldiers killed in Iraq. When police took no action, some of the protesters started climbing over a barricade at the foot of the Capitol steps.

Many were arrested without a struggle after they jumped over the waist-high barrier. But some grew angry as police with shields and riot gear attempted to push them back. At least two people were showered with chemical spray. Protesters responded by throwing signs and chanting: "Shame on you."

The number of arrests by Capitol Police on Saturday was much higher than previous anti-war rallies in Washington this year. Five people were arrested at a protest outside the Pentagon in March when they walked onto a bridge that had been closed off to accommodate the demonstration, then refused to leave. And at a rally in January, about 50 demonstrators blocked a street near the Capitol, but they were dispersed without arrests.

The protesters gathered earlier Saturday near the White House in Lafayette Park with signs saying "End the war now" and calling for President Bush's impeachment. The rally was organized by the ANSWER Coalition and other groups.

Organizers estimated that nearly 100,000 people attended the rally and march. That number could not be confirmed; police did not give their own estimate. A permit for the march obtained in advance by the ANSWER Coalition had projected 10,000.

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan told the crowd is was time to be assertive.

"It's time to lay our bodies on the line and say we've had enough," she said. "It's time to shut this city down."

About 13 blocks away, nearly 1,000 counterprotesters gathered near the Washington Monument, frequently erupting in chants of "U-S-A" and waving American flags.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert "Buzz" Patterson, speaking from a stage to crowds clad in camouflage, American flag bandanas and Harley Davidson jackets, said he wanted to send three messages.

"Congress, quit playing games with our troops. Terrorists, we will find you and kill you," he said. "And to our troops, we're here for you, and we support you."


Associated Press writer Christine Simmons contributed to this report.