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JTM Launches New Online Voter Registration Form
JTM now has a new online voter registration form that you can fill
in right from your computer. It tells you exactly where to send the form to
ensure that you are properly registered. Please feel free to put
this linkable voter registration button on your site to help us register a
record number of voters this election. We will be partnering with several
youth voter organizations this election that will be using this form and we
will add those names here as they join with us.
Will.I.Am
From TheGrio.com:
He could have been another black male casualty of a broken home, but William James Adams Jr., better known as Will.i.am, had other plans.
The co-founder and front man of the Grammy-winning Black Eyed Peas (most recently Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2010 awards), raised in Los Angeles in a family with a largely absent father, was encouraged early in life to make a statement of his own identity and originality. As a teenager, Will did exactly that - becoming a rapper at various L.A. clubs, and with a longtime friend forming the nucleus of what would become the Black Eyed Peas. Today, they are as much an entertainment juggernaut as a group. But Will.i.am kept his flair for originality very much alive, and did so in venues beyond the stage.
He drew fire last year for violating a doctrine of African-American decorum, daring to propose that the N.A.A.C.P. change its name to more widely reflect the breadth of its mission -- to retire "Colored People" to the scrap heap of American language and use "Concerned People" instead. And Will.i.am spoke his truth to power in a powerful way during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Iranian born frontman and songwriter of Buddahead, Raman Kia, has released an EP titled, "Iranian Democracy", available on iTunes. Kia grew up in war-torn Iran, and music was his escape from the daily violence. He and his family fled to London, and then he eventually settled in New York. The other members of Buddahead include Simon Gibson on lead guitars, Toby Evers on bass guitar, and Rich Scanella on drums. They have been heavily touring, and recently toured with Everlast. Their music has been featured on Cold Pizza, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and One Tree Hill.
Their website states that they are trying to have a "Democracy For Iran" concert, and they want to assemble many musicians in a huge event similar to Live Aid. You can visit their website here to stay abreadst of that if it comes together. Please check out their EP on iTunes!
ARASH SOBHANI FROM
KIOSK INTERVIEW
Arash Sobhani and Babak Khiavchi of Kiosk
Arash Sobhani, who was interviewed last year by JTMP, has given another interview to Omid Memarian, a freelance writer who runs his own website. The interview goes into great detail about the underground Iranian music scene and what Kisk is all about Read the article here, and don't forget to check out our interview and some performance videos of Kiosk at the foot of the US Capital building last year at a pro-democracy in Iran rally at our YouTube Channel.
MUSICIANS COME TOGETHER
TO DRUM FOR PEACE
Thousands of activists have come together to drum for a brighter future and peace for the people of Sudan. They are trying to "drum up" support to raise awareness of the violence the Sudanese people might face as a result of a proposition that will come to a vote on January 9, 2011, 365 days from now. This proposition will decide whether the people of the South Sudan wish to remain part of a united Sudan or whether they want to become an independent country. On their website, the group address their concerns:
"Our fear is that it could be a future of conflict and suffering. Sign the petition below and we will add your voice to thousands of campaigners around the world calling for action."
Their petition calls for:
Providing intensive and coherent diplomatic support to Northern and Southern Sudanese parties on unresolved issues such as wealth sharing, borders and security
Increasing international monitoring and reporting on human rights violations throughout Sudan in the run-up to the April elections and referendum, and supporting measures to protect civilians from potential violence related to these events
Encouraging the United Nations Security Council to strengthen the civilian protection mandate of the Sudan peacekeeping force (UNMIS) by increasing its presence in remote and volatile areas and by rapidly deploying its personnel to conflict-prone areas.
Omar Majeed has made a film documenting the rise of the muslim punk scene in North America. This surprising movement has raised some eyebrows and caused some controversy among some strict muslims. One band, the Kominas, was even asked to stop playing at a open mike concert because some muslims thought the electric guitar was disresepectful towards islamic traditions. Although many of the musicians in the muslim punk scene try to just have fun and not be too political, it is hard for them to escape the political realities.
The great documentary, Poliwood, a film by Barry Levinson, takes a look at the 2008 Democratic and Republican conventions and how art and music plays a role in society. Many actors and musicians are inteviewed, and the issue of artists speaking out and their influence and impact on the political stage is explored. The film made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on May 1, 2009, and is currently playing on Showtime.
JTMP strongly recommends that our followers check this movie out, as it explores one of the key issues JTMP frequently explores; and that is: should artists speak out? It features interviews of Will.I.Am, Susan Sarandon and even clips of Tom Morello and others that play at rallies and conventions. You can view the trailer below.
MUSICIANS FROM AROUND
THE WORLD COME TOGETHER
TO SING ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
On December 7th, 2009 at 1:30pm GMT Starbucks invited musicians from all over the world to sing together at the same time to raise awareness for AIDS in Africa. In that one breathtaking moment, musicians from 156 countries played "All You Need is Love" together. Watch now, as musicians from all around the world come together and share a song.
Join in by lending your own voice to http://StarbucksLoveProject.com Watch streaming video from countries around the world and then join in by singing All You Need is Love yourself. For each video submitted, Starbucks will make a contribution to the Global Fund to help fight against AIDS in Africa. You can also help increase the Starbucks contribution to the Global Fund by submitting a drawing to the Love Gallery.
The global sing-along is part of our continuing efforts to help fight AIDS in Africa. In just one year in partnership with (RED)™, Starbucks has generated money equivalent to more than 7 million days of medicine to help those living with HIV in Africa.
FOLK MUSICIAN EUTHANIZES HIMSELF
BECAUSE HE COULDN'T AFFORD HIS
HEALTH CARE
JTMP is saddened to report that the great folk musician, Vic Chesnutt, deliberately took on overdose of prescription pills and died on Christmas day, because he couldn't afford to pay for needed procedures and surgeries, and his debt for his health care overwhlemed him. This is a tragedy, and clearly shows the problem in this country concerning health care. JTMP supports true health care reform, that covers everyone in America. This is a civil rights issue.
Vic Chesnutt was discovered by Michael Stipe from REM, and even though he was a paraplegic, he wrote some amazing songs. Some of his songs were, "It Is What It Is" and "Flirted With You All My Life".
Born Nov. 11, 1964, in Jacksonville, Fla., Mr. Chesnutt grew up in Zebulon, Ga., where his grandfather taught him to play the guitar. After moving to Athens, Mr. Chesnutt began performing in clubs there and attracted the attention of Stipe, who produced his debut album, "Little," in 1988. The albums "West of Rome" and "Drunk" followed, paving the way for his major label debut "About to Choke" in 1996.
That same year REM, the Smashing Pumpkins, Hootie and the Blowfish, and others covered Mr. Chesnutt's songs for "Sweet Relief II: The Gravity of the Situation," a tribute album that benefited the foundation that raises money to help pay uninsured musicians' medical bills.
Mr. Chesnutt's survivors include his wife, Tina Whatley Chesnutt, who played bass with him, and a sister.
Below is a video of his song, "Everything I Say".
PASSAGE TO DAWN
MUSIC FESTIVAL
FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Hamid Motebassem (Setar) and Pejman Hadadi (Percussion) of the celebrated Dastan Ensemble, the leading contemporary classical music ensemble of Iran, and Imamyar Hasanov (Kemancheh), a dynamic virtuoso from Azerbaijan are coming together in Los Angeles for a night of Persian Music, called the "Passage To Dawn".
Portions of proceeds from the concert will benefit Children’s Hope International Literacy & Development (C.H.I.L.D), to better the education, health-care and opportunities for growth and development for children across the globe. The goal of this concert is to bring the communities of Iranians and Azaries together to celebrate their vibrant music and use the arts to facilitate social change.
From the Sociarts Website:
"Passage To Dawn marks the first collaboration between master musicians, Hamid Motebassem (Setar) and Pejman Hadadi (Percussion) of the celebrated Dastan Ensemble, the leading contemporary classical music ensemble of Iran, and Imamyar Hasanov (Kemancheh), a dynamic virtuoso from Azerbaijan. With this new collaboration, the artists explore the surprising commonalities as well as variations between the two age-old musical traditions of Iran and Azerbaijan, marrying the two distinct styles into one sound, which echoes tradition, yet is contemporary and innovative. The repertoire of this evening’s purely instrumental music ranges from fixed composition to structured as well as pure improvisation invoking a wide array of feeling, from quietly meditative to ecstatic.
With Passage to Dawn, the artists seek to re-establish the power and beauty of instrumental music. “Our aim”, says Pejman Hadadi “is to create a dialogue that opens a window between our hearts and the hearts of the listeners so we come in touch with the One Heart.” In the words of the great Persian mystic poet Rumi:
There is a window between heart and heart
They are never separate like two bodies.
Passage to Dawn refers to the current times of chaos, upheaval and darkness in our world that will eventually deliver us into the light if we focus our collective intention and utilize this negativity to work diligently towards spiritual evolution for all beings. The emphasis is on the power of music to uplift and inspire hope, inviting people to live to their ideals and take action based on conscious universal values. Through the power of beauty and the sublime, the musicians intend to raise the vibration of stagnancy, anxiety and fear that runs through the world to that of positive action, trust and love. Their music will serve as a reminder that humanity is capable of great feats of beauty through dedication, focus and living from our hearts. And this capability when put into action will deliver us from the chaos and darkness into the light."
OP-CRITICAL AND JTMP RELEASE
FLOWERS FOR YOUR GUNS VIDEO
JTMP and Op-Critical have teamed up again, this time speaking about the issue of democracy in Iran. Check out the video below, which contains footage from many pro-democracy in Iran rallies here in the US, and more.
National Youth Organizations Launch Campaigns And VideosI n Support Of Iranian Citizens On Iranian Students Day
(Washington, D.C.) Justice Through Music and the Iranian-American Youth have joined forces to ensure that today, December 7th, Student’s Day in Iran, is recognized around the world, despite efforts of the Iranian authorities to suppress it. During the last month alone, more than 60 Iranian students have been arrested and countless others referred to disciplinary committees just for supporting freedom and condemning oppression. JTM and IAY have launched two videos on You Tube to show the world and the citizens of Iran that support for democracy in Iran is growing.
The Youth-To-Youth campaign asks young people everywhere to go to its website and print out posters supporting freedom in Iran, take a picture while holding the poster and then upload it to the Y2Y site.http://www.y2ycampaign.com/How_you_can_get_involved.html
The second video, Flowers For Your Guns, is dedicated to Neda Agha-Soltan and all those who have died and struggled for democracy in Iran.The video features famous Iranian singer Shamim Azade and the American band Op-Critical, melding traditional Persian music with driving rock. Film footage includes tens of thousands of people in Iran and America marching and protesting for freedom, exclusive video of New York and Washington rallies, the unveiling of the statute of Neda, and the Green Scroll march to the Capitol. The video shows the people of Iran speaking out, supported by millions around the world, for a new system in Iran, where human rights are respected, and where religion and politics are separate. The video makes clear that with the killing of peaceful protesters, the Iranian Government inflicted a fatal poison on itself and it is now dying. With each new spasm of violence against its citizens, the Islamic regime demonstrates that it is bankrupt and in the throes of death itself.
JTM and IAY see a rebirth happening in Iran -- a destiny that cannot be changed no matter how brutal the actions of those who have the guns. The Green Revolution, patterned after the peaceful Velvet Revolutions in Eastern Europe, cannot be stopped. The world is now filled with hundreds of millions of Nedas, and these videos demonstrate that YES, these Nedas are growing and will prevail.
Justice Through Music and Iranian American Youth are proud to introduce you to the IAY's "Youth-to-Youth" Campaign. This campaign has been launched to visually demonstrate to the youth of Iran that their supporters inside the United States are counted too!
Phase One of the Y2Y Campaign focuses on sending a message of moral support to the STUDENTS of Iran as they prepare to once again bravely take to the streets during the national "Student's Day" (16 Azar / Dec 7, 2009) to demand their freedom and an end to oppression. As the focus of the Islamic regime has turned to the destruction of Iran's educational institutions by violently oppressing Iran's college students, we offer this video message from the students of America to the students of Iran: WE STAND WITH YOU AND KNOW THAT FREEDOM IS NEAR!
With your help, IAY looks to spread the Y2Y campaign around the nation. Please help spread the word by sharing this video. Be a part of history, let us all help make a change! Join the Y2Y campaign today and help raise awareness and provide moral support for the people of Iran. More updates coming soon!
گروه جوانان ایرانی آمریکایی کمپینی به راه انداخته است برای آنکه نشان بدهد، حامیان جوانان درون ایران نیز در خارج از ایران همانند آنها بی شمارند. گام نخست این کمپین جوانان برای جوانان، فرستادن پیام حمایت معنوی دانشجویان آمریکایی به دانشجویانی است که در تدارک هستند برای سرازیر شدن به خیابان ها و سردادن فریاد آزادی خواهی و ظلم ستیزی شان در 16 آذر، روز دانشجو در ایران. از آنجا که رژیم اسلامی می کوشد که با سرکوب دانشجویان، نهادهای آموزشی را محاصره کند، ما با تقدیم پیام دانشجویان آمریکایی به دانشجویان ایرانی به آنها یادآور می شویم که: در کنار شما ایستاده ایم و ایمان داریم که آزادی نزدیک است
JTMP is proud to announce we have joined Facebook, to connect with all our supporters, organizations and artists. Facebook has come to be very popular with everyone, and we feel it will help keep us better connected to our supporters and the issues we are concerned about. If you have a Facebook profile, look for us and connect, or join and be part of the fun.
FEATURED JTMP ARTIST
PERSIAN POET AND SINGER
SHAMIM AZADE
JTMP wants to introduce our supporters to Shamim Azade. Shamim is a world-renowned Persian poet, singer and songwriter that has travelled the world singing about social issues such as Iranian democracy and women's rights. She was recently at a pro-democracy rally in DC, and JTMP was able to film her singing and interview her. You can watch her perfomance and her interview on our YouTube Channel. Also, she will be a guest singer on the new pro-democracy in Iran song and video from Op-Critical which will be released this week. You will definitely want to check it out. Below is a performance of her in Sweden.
(NOTE: This video takes a minute to load)
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, an Iranian literature and cinematic artist, has been awarded the "2009 Freedom To Ceate Prize" given by Freedom To Create, which is an organization administered by ArtAction and backed by Orient Global, a Singapore-based investment group. Their aim is to recognize outstanding individuals that foster the ideals that they support. Their website says, "Societies must be free from violence, oppression, disease, censorship and disenfranchisement in order for creative vitality to be stimulated and allowed to flourish."
Mohsen was at one time a member of an underground militia, but after undergoing a "intellectual renaissance after which he distanced himself from violence in favour of literature and the arts – especially cinema", he was released following the 1979 revolution, and Mohsen left prison believing that Iran suffered from cultural poverty.
Mohsen will donate his prize fund to the Green Movement NGO to help the victims of the incidents after the election in Iran.
SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION
MAKES OSCAR SHORT LIST
The great documentary, "Soundtrack For a Revolution", which powerfully portrays the civil rights movement in this country using music and how it played a role, has made the short list of being a nominee for Best Documentary by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman are the directors, and it contains performances by artists such as John Legend, The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Richie Havens, and more.
The movies shows how the freedom movement and songs came from slave chants and the black churches, and gave them a way to express through song what they couldn't say in words. The music helped the protesters face their hurdles with non-violence and dignity as they braved violence and aggression. As the movie's website says, "The infectious energy of the songs swept people up and empowered them to fight for their rights".
JTMP hopes that this film gets nominated and wins the Oscar, and urges our supporters to check out his great documentary. Currently it is only showing in festivals, but will be available in DVD format soon.
Two Iranian born singers, Navid and Omid, have just released a great song with a moving video. The video contains scenes from Arash T. Riahi's award winning movie, "For a Moment Freedom", which is movie about Iranian citizens having to flee their country when they fear for their lives because of their political views. Arash says the movie is a statement on the issue of is it brave or not to leave your country instead of conforming and staying? It is also shows what expatriates go through in the countries they flee to. Watch the video below.
NOV 15, 2009 - JTMP was on the National Mall in Washington, DC yesterday for the unfurling of the complete Green Scroll, a petition against human rights abuses in Iran, and support of democracy in Iran. The banner is over 2,000 meters long, and contains thousands of signatures from people all over the world. It has been unfurled in Paris and New York, and now it has been unfurled in Washington, DC. It was carried to from the Washington Monument to the US Capital to show support for the Iranian citizens still being held in captivity by the Iranian government for protesting against the 2009 election results.
You can watch our video of the event HERE, or visit our YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/jtmpadmin. The event was put on by Voices4Iran and you can visit their website by going here: http://voices4iran.org/. For more information on the Green Scroll Project, you can visit http://greenscroll.info/.
JIM JAMES OF MY MORNING
JACKET RELEASES EP
TO BENEFIT ANIMALS
Jim James, from the band "My Morning Jacket", has released an EP that contains acoustic versions of George Harrison songs to raise funds for the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary that takes care of neglected and abused farm animals. Jim James met animal rights activist Jenny Brown, who co-founded the Woodstock Farm with Doug Abel, in their hometown of Louisville, Ky. and she initially asked him to do a benefit concert to help the animals on their farm they founded in 2004.
They agreed to stay in contact with each other through emails. After George Harrison's death in 2001, being deeply affected by it for Jim admired George for his music and activism; Mr. James recorded some of his favorite songs of George's. They are intimate, acoustic and vocal versions that stayed on the shelf for years. The tracks come from George's album, "All Things Must Pass", such as "Behind That Locked Door" and "Love You To". He has now released the tracks under the name "Yim Yames", for he wanted to use a funny sounding version of his name. Part of the proceeds will go to benefit the animals at the sanctuary farm.
JTMP admires Mr. James for his activism, and his support of animal rights. He has also raised funds for a center for women and families in Kentucky, and was involved in the benefit concert in New York to support transcendental meditation that JTMP reported on. We urge our followers to check these tracks out, and support Mr. James efforts and the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.
GROUP OF MUSICIANS WANT
LIST OF SONGS USED AS TORTURE
A group of musicians came together, and using the Freedom Of Information Act, demanded a list of songs that the US government used as torture on detainees at Guantanamo Bay and other facilities. Pearl Jam, REM, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Tom Morello and others all demanded to know if one of their songs had been used. They are exploring what legal options they have if one of their songs has been used, and are demanding that their songs never be used as torture.
The FOIA request was submittted by "No More Guantanamos", a US group calling for the closing of Guantanamo Bay and the respect of human rights by detainees being held there and at other sites run by the US military. The group also included liberal activists and retired US military officers. It was the official launching of the campaign, "National Campaign to Close Guantanamo". You can learn more at http://www.nogitmos.org.
Music has been banned as a means of torture by the UN Convention Against Torture, but has yet to be banned specifically by the Army Field Service Manual. A British human rights group, Reprieve, which JTMP has been posting about recently, backed the FOIA request and has been calling for the specific ban. You can learn more and submit a 5 second clip of silent protest against using music as torture at their site, http://www.reprieve.org.
Documents made public and interviews with detainees has revealed that US military personnel have used music from goups such as AC/DC, Britney Spears, and death metal band Deicide. They have also used the "Meow Mix" jingle and Barney's "I Love You".
Tom Morello, who has been very active in the musician activism field, when finding out that music from his band Rage Against the Machine was possibly used as torture said, "The fact that music I helped create was used as a tactic against humanity sickens me."
JTMP fully supports the ban of music as torture, and urges our suporters to join No More Guantanamos and Reprieve in their fight for human rights.
The band Op-Critical has also called for the ban of music as torture, and their new video "Torture Me", that deals with the effect that torturing has on the torturer, is below.
US DEPT OF ENERGY
HOLDS THE 2009
SOLAR DECATHLON
The US Department of energy held the Solar Decathlon 2009 on the National Mall this month, and JTMP was there to check it out. There were 20 competitors from the US and around the world, in a competition to build the best solar energy dependant house. The houses were judged in a number of categories, and some of the competitors used eco-friendly material, collected rainwater, and other things, all with the goal of having the smallest carbon footprint possible.
We took a tour of of the "Meltwater" house built by the University of Wisonsin-Milwaukee, and the video is below.
The winner of the Solar Decathlon was Team Germany, with their unique design of having the entire house, roof and walls, covered in solar calls that produces 200% of the energy needed by the house. Congratulations to Team Germany! For more information on their house click here or go to: http://www.solardecathlon2009.de.
For more information on the event click here, and remember that the tax credit for having your house more energy efficient has been extended to 2010! Click here for more information or go to http://www.dsireusa.org.
A-HA WANTS TO STOP
TOURING AND GET
INTO POLITICS
A-ha, the synthpop band from Norway that had a big hit with their song "Take On Me" that was made into a popular and widely known video mixing live action and animation, announced they were "disbanding" to concentrate on what they say will be humanitarian works and politics. The breakup will occur next year, after a "farewell tour". The band posted on their website, "This will give us a chance to get more involved in other meaningful aspects of life. We are retiring as a band, not as individuals. Change is always difficult and it is easy to get set in one's ways. Now it is time to move on."
JOAN BAEZ
DOCUMENTARY
IS RELEASED
Joan Baez, one of the leading musician activists over the years, was recently honored on PBS with a documentary celebrating her life, activism and music in "How Sweet The Sound", which aired on October 14, 2009. The documentary has been released on DVD with a retrospective CD companion. The documentary features rare footage of Joan, and interviews from other musicians that give their take on the great life of Joan Baez.
Folk singer, writer and producer Michael Johnathon's film, "Walden: The Ballad of Thoreau" has won the 2009 Aegis Film Award and the John Muir Gold award, an original story based on the final two days Henry David Thoreau spent in his cabin before leaving Walden Pond. “We live in an age of obvious change, but sometimes the oldest lessons learned remain the wisest,” said Johnathon from his farmhouse home in Kentucky. “The Walden play has the incredibly opportunity to introduce audiences to Thoreau, as well as environmental concerns, in schools and towns across the world.”
Henry David Thoreau was a 19th century writer, and one of the founding fathers of the environmental movement. He lived a quiet life for two years at Walden Pond. The play was filmed for public broadcasting, and is available in a DVD set, and schools can download a kit so they can put on the play themselves, and spread the word about sustainability.
Abazar Hamid, a Sudanese musician, sings about peace hoping to bring peace to the war-torn country of Sudan. JTMP has long been an advocate for peace in Sudan, and we admire Abazar and the work he has done. He must constantly fight with government censors, but the effort pays off from time to time, and he is allowed to release some of his work.
Below is a link to the video "Singing For Peace" on Facebook, and you can read more about him here on Washington Post's website, and also there is a good website, FreeMuse.org, about the struggle of some musicians around the world against censorship. Check out his MySpace site here: www.myspace.com/abazarhamid
Various musicians have come together to sing Midnight Oil's "Beds Are Burning", to raise awareness about global warming. It is also intended to get everyone aware and involved in the December meeting in Copenhagen when Nations from around the world will decide on the replacement of the Kyoto protocol. Kofi Annan is is leading the effort. You can watch the video below, and then go to their website and download the song for free or on iTunes, and for more information. http://www.timeforclimatejustice.org./
JTMP SPONSORS PRO-DEMOCRACY
IN IRAN RALLY IN NEW YORK
JTMP launched a "Free Iran Music Video Campaign" earlier this year, and now we are proud to announce we are helping to sponsor and event up in New York to continue to draw atention to the struggle going on in Iran right now to bring about true democracy in Iran. If you are in New York, plan to be up there, or if you can make it, please attend this important event.
9/23 4:00PM EST - Here are some pictures of JTMP personnel on the ground shot moments ago from their BlackBerry:
LEGENDARY MUSICIAN ACTIVIST
MARY TRAVERS PASSES
Mary Travers, a legendary singer who played a major role in history by being an activist musician in the 1960s, died on September 16 after a battle with leukemia for several years. She was of course the "Mary" in "Peter, Paul and Mary", the great folk group in the 1960s that gave us great versions of songs such as "If I Had a Hammer", and "Lemon Tree". They helped the career of Bob Dylan by performing some of his songs such as "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" and "Blowin' in the Wind", which they performed at at the August 1963 March on Washington.
In the late 1960s when many folk musicians turned to electric guitars the folk music boom waned, but they kept on. In 1967 she and her bandmates, Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, also performed the John Denver classic, "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and the Mamas and Papas hit, "I Dig Rock and Roll Music". They would write songs for Gordon Lightfoot and Laura Nyro, as well as win a "Best Children's Album" Grammy in 1969 for "Pater, Paul and Mommy".
She and her bandmates were politically active over the years, reuniting to perform a concert in 1978 to protest nuclear energy, and another concert in 1995 at Kent State University to mark the anniversary of the shootings there, and even performing to support strawberry pickers in California. In 2004, they performed at Wolftrap, the only National Park for the performing Arts, playing music that sang about peace, equality and justice. They sang the anti-war classic, "Where Have all the Flowers Gone", and Peter Yarrow spoke about his work with the anti-war movement. Senator Max Cleland was in the audience, and Peter Yarrow apologized for his mistake saying he "confused the warrior with the war", and Senator Cleland got a standing ovation.
Mary Allin Travers was born on Nov. 9, 1936 in Louisville, Kentucky, and would later move with her family to Manhattan's bohemian Greenwich Village. She actually lived in the same building as Pete Seeger, and would record one album with him and even perform with Mr. Seeger, before meeting Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookers in 1961 and forming "Peter, Paul and Mary".
Mary was an inspiration to us all, and one of the major figures in using music as a catalyst for social justice. She will be missed by us all. You can read words of inspiration about her by her bandmates at her website HERE, and below is a classic performance by her and the band from 1966.
ACTOR/MUSICIAN PAUL HIPP
ON WAR INC. SOUNDTRACK
AND MAKES VIDEO ABOUT
AMERICA'S HEALTHCARE RANKING
Paul Hipp, an actor and musician that has starred in film and TV, was recently on the soundtrack of John Cusack's film, "War, Inc.". He released a CD called "Blog of War" that featured songs such as, "Stop This Shit" and "Send The Twins". He was an outspoken critic of the Iraq War, and is now a contributor to the Huffington Post. He has released a song called, "Acting Like a Dick", which is open criticism of ex-Vice President Dick Cheney, along with other new songs he has written.
Paul has caught our attention by the release of the song and video titled, "We're #37!", which calls attention to the ranking given in healthcare by the World Health Organization to America. You can watch the video below. Guess which country is #1? He also has a song about the bailout on his YouTube Channel. JTMP recommends this artist to our supporters and urges everyone to check him out.
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, an Iranian literature and cinematic artist, has been awarded the "2009 Freedom To Ceate Prize" given by Freedom To Create, which is an organization administered by ArtAction and backed by Orient Global, a Singapore-based investment group. Their aim is to recognize outstanding individuals that foster the ideals that they support. Their website says, "
The FOIA request was submittted by "No More Guantanamos", a US group calling for the closing of Guantanamo Bay and the respect of human rights by detainees being held there and at other sites run by the US military. The group also included liberal activists and retired US military officers. It was the official launching of the campaign, "National Campaign to Close Guantanamo". You can learn more at 
Tom Morello, who has been very active in the musician activism field, when finding out that music from his band Rage Against the Machine was possibly used as torture said, "The fact that music I helped create was used as a tactic against humanity sickens me." 
