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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.
DOCUMENTARY AFGHAN STAR SHOWS
MUSIC IN MIDST OF OPPRESSION
Afghan Star, the documentary that has been winning Sundance awards, is soon coming to DVD. This documentary tries to raise awareness through music, and shows the struggles of the Afghan people. Check out their website below, and stay tuned and we will let you know when it comes out on DVD and more.
The film is a powerful testament, filled with compelling stories of courage, on the hunger for the freedom of self-expression and the emerging desire among many Afghan people to embrace their own forms of popular culture.
OP-CRITICAL RELEASES PROP 8
PRO-GAY MARRIAGE MUSIC VIDEO
Op-Critical, tracing the path of civil rights...from women's rights, to worker's rights, to voting rights...it now comes down to one of the last civil rights denied to human beings...the right for equailty in marriage. Check out the video below, and if you buy the single, 50% of the proceeds goes to the Courage Campaign in their struggle for equality.
The Greater Louisville Chamber of Commerce, has given the Silver Fleur-De-Lis Award to JK McKnight, a music and activist that founded the Forecastle Festival. The annual Forecastle Festival has been going on for 8 years now, which is a blend of Music, Art and Activism. They say on their website, "A symposium for musicians, artists, and environmentalists, Forecastle connects the progressive Midwest.".
It first started in 2002 in Tyler Park in Louisville Kentucky, but soon became an annual gathering of musicians and artists, all coming together for good causes. Some of the causes they have championed for are saving honeybee farms, promotion of alternative energy, and conservation of the outdoors to name a few. They soon moved to the Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere in 2007.
The Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere
Some of the artists that have played there are Sleater-Kinney, Zappa plays Zappa, and Umphrey's McGee. All of them feel it is important to play at a venue that is tied to activism. Outside Magazine ranks it as "One the top 15 Outdoor Festivals of 2009". The 2010 Festival will be on July 9th, 2010, and their website says, "With national headliners and expanded line-ups, the festival will provide an unforgettable experience for all Forecastle travelers, converging in Louisville from the Midwest and beyond." Meanwhile, they are out there promoting the 2010 Festival at cities all over the Midwest.
February, 15, 2010, Washington, D.C., Iranian-American Youth (IAY) and Justice Through Music (JTM) have started a mobile billboard advertising campaign in Washington, D.C. on February 16, 2010. Mobile billboards will travel through Washington’s streets, appearing near or at many of the capital city’s most significant landmarks. Messages depicted on the billboards are designed to raise awareness and draw support for the current opposition movement in Iran. Check out the videos below for some of the recent appearances.
Every year since the inception of the Islamic Republic (22 Bahman 1357 / 11 February 1979), the Government of Iran organizes public events to commemorate and celebrate Iran’s Islamic Revolution and the institution of theocratic rule. This year, however, members of the growing opposition movement to the Iranian Government also took to the streets in condemnation of this government that they perceive to be brutally authoritarian and unforgivably illegitimate. The demands of the opposition movement became more apparent on February 11, 2010 as videos of these protests started to flood the internet depicting masses in Iran calling for a “referendum” and demanding an end to the dictatorship in Tehran.
The Mobile Billboard at the Iranian Interests Section in DC,
which serves as an unofficial "embassy" for Iran and the US.
The Islamic Republic's 31-year record conveys a tragic story of outrageous human rights violations, political isolation and disgrace, unforeseen economic turmoil and international terrorism. With regard to the state of human rights in Iran, the situation is so dire that the United States and the European Union issued a joint-statement on February 8, 2010. Their statement called on the government of Iran “to live up to its international human rights obligations” and “to end its abuses against its own people.” In recent months, the Government of Iran responded to peaceful opposition demonstrations with beatings, show-trials, torture, rape and executions.
In response to events in Iran and local actions such as this mobile billboard campaign, IAY and JTM hope that the American public will stand in solidarity with the Iranian people and urge prominent American leaders and political officials to voice their support for the fight for freedom and human rights in Iran.
Please watch the video below and see security personnel from the Iranian Interests Section take such an interest in us, they come out and take pictures of us and our license plates.
JTMP AND IAY UNVEIL THE NEW
IRAN MOBILE BANNER
Here is a video of our new Iran Mobile Banner, and some scenes from yesterday's rally in Washington, DC. This is a joint project between JTMP and the Iranian American Youth Coalition, and will be at all the major events throughout the year. Keep an eye out for it!
JTMP AND IAY DEBUT
IRAN MOBILE BILLBOARD
JTMP and IAY debuted the new Iran Mobile Billboard, and appeared on WashingtonTV's website!
Marty Rod has composed a great song and music video dedictaed to al the brave souls who have fought the good fight for human rights in Iran, and we wanted to share it with our supporters. Check out the moving video below.
NEDA VIDEO
A supporter of JTMP has emailed us about a great music video they have made about Neda and the struggle in Iran for human rights, and we thought everyone should see it. Please watch the video below.
BAHMAN PROTESTS
IN IRAN TODAY
JTMP is closely following the Bahman protests that are going on today inside Iran, which is the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. The Iranian government has cutoff Twitter and other ways to get out information on the Internet, so it has been hard to follow. Some reports say that the government security is out in heavy force and is keeping down the amount of Iranian citizens who want to peacefully protest. One video of tear gas being used on protesters is below. Also, Robert Mackey is live blogging about the events, and you can read updates HERE.
President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama host a night of music that inspired and reflected the Civil Rights Movement. Performers include Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Howard University Choir, and The Freedom Singers.
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.
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, "
