knoxville's 10 years shook the halls of music 2006 with this video...

10 years, an awesome band out of knoxville, had one of the most talked about rock music videos in 2006...check it out here courtesy of amnesty international usa...



10 Years were initially formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 2000 with a different vocalist, recording Into the Half Moon in 2001, then recruited current vocalist Jesse Hasek from another local band. They released their independent album Killing All That Holds You in 2004, with the songs "Wasteland" and "Through The Iris" picking up regional radio play. 10 Years were then signed to Republic/Universal in 2005 and released their major label debut, The Autumn Effect on August 16, 2005. That same summer the band toured with Disturbed and Ill Niño. In the fall of 2005, they toured with Breaking Benjamin and Smile Empty Soul, then followed up with the Masters of Horror tour with Mudvayne and Sevendust. They recently finished touring with Korn and Deftones on the Family Values Tour, which started in late July 2006.

Mid 2006, the band toured Australia in a line up which included Hatebreed, Disturbed and KornTheir first single, "Wasteland" spent over 12 months on the Rock charts, finally reaching #1 at Active Rock in December 2005. In mid February 2006, "Wasteland" reached #1 on both Alternative and Billboard Modern Rock charts. 10 Years is the first band since June 2004 to reach #1 with their debut single...

Their first music video, "Wasteland", addresses the social problem of human rights around the world. The video received a nomination for Best Direction and Best Art Direction at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, but failed to win either award...ROBBED!

peace out <3

The Future

The European Parliament has issued a report accusing Britain, Germany and Italy, among others, of turning a completely blind eye to secret CIA flights used to perform kidnappings and extraordinary renditions of suspected terrorists. This comes close after a move by Germany to prosecute 2 CIA agents accused of kidnapping Khaled el-Masri, a GERMAN citizen suspected of terrorism and later exonerated due to a case of MISTAKEN IDENTITY. And that follows closely after worldwide condemnation of military prisons like Abu Ghraib.

The increasingly hostile attitude towards Bush's foreign "policy" from former European allies, or sympathizers at the very least, begs the question- "How long does the United States remain in a position of power to demand key human rights changes from countries like China, while continuing to s*#@ all over the Geneva Convention?"

The answer: "We'll see..."

I am not one of those people who is just waiting for the USA to "get what's coming to it." I am under no delusion about who will suffer the consequences of Bush's dangerous and inflammatory actions abroad. It most likely will not be the people responsible for our country's current path. They have the money and resources to flee. It will be my mother and father who suffers. It will be your brothers and sisters and children. It will be you and me. So as the average people, we need to stop and take notice of what is happening to worldwide opinion and redirect it before it is too late. GET INVOLVED.

friedman's jewelers bellevue here i come...

so yesterday was after all valentine's day and i suppose that thousands of my fellow countrymen did the unimmaginative thing and bought their "honey" some sort of diamond this or that...i mean REALLY, could you be anymore of a square peg than to do THAT???

or is it that your relationship with your significant other is about him/her being bought by your thoughtless generosity??? (did you hear the guy on ATC yesterday who was stuck in o'hare but said, "i sent her the roses so at least i did what i was supposed to,"...

that is so ROMANTIC dude! ...but i digress, what i wanted to talk to you about is where those god awful diamonds come from (no, not a supernova - that was a different ATC story) and what it often takes to get them here...

yes i'm talking about those DAMN BLOODY DIAMONDS again so get over it...do you not think that conflict diamonds whose war fuelers conscript 10 year old boy soldiers and pay for their campaign with those DAMN BLOODY DIAMONDS should just get over it??? really??? well you selfish little p******...

seriously, get a life, and by get a life i mean research the DAMN DIAMONDS first to see if they're BLOODY or not ... is that so much to ask???

here's the deal...trade in blood diamonds continues to be a problem, as conflict diamonds from west and central africa continue to reach international markets, including the united states, the world’s largest consumer of diamonds...the kimberley process and the clean diamond trade act were established to stop the trade in conflict diamonds; however, implementation is less than fully effective, as both government oversight and diamond industry self-regulation remain incomplete...

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...on your marks, get set, go...........

1. Get Ready. Check out www.blooddiamondaction.org and build your knowledge of the issue.

You can conduct this survey individually or identify local and student groups in your area that might be interested in participating. A planning meeting can helpful in dividing up roles and responsibilities.

Search online or use a phone book to compile a list of local jewelers in your area. Try starting with the following major U.S. diamond retailers:
Costco Fred Meyer Jewelers Friedmans Jewelers J.C. Penny Co Kay Jewelers K’s Merchandise Kmart Kohl’s Macy’s Saks Fifth Avenue Samuels Jewelers Sears, Roebuck, & Co Target TJ Maxx Ultra Diamonds Wal-Mart Whitehall Jewelers Zales

2. Conduct Surveys. Send 1-3 people to visit or phone each retailer. Request to speak to the store manager and then ask the following four questions:

1. How can I be sure that none of your jewelry contains conflict diamonds?

2. What is your primary source for diamond jewelry?

3. Can I see a copy of your company's policy on conflict diamonds and/or a written guarantee from your suppliers that your diamonds are conflict-free?

4. How often do consumers ask you about conflict diamonds?

3. Report your Findings.

Complete the online survey below or mail written surveys to:

Mid-Atlantic Regional Office

Amnesty International USA

600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE

Washington, D.C. 20003

Download and print a survey »

now is that so freakin' hard??? well do it any way - stephen colbert whispered in my ear that you should...

peace out <3

make valentine's day more than just your ego speaking...

rather than spend a lot of $$$ on a diamond that may have helped african children in conflict zones to be abducted and forced into being soldiers stylishly sporting a used ak-47 give (and receive) a clean diamond bracelet ...and tell their story for them since they can't do it for themselves...

peace out <3

this 69 is definitely not sexy...

on mondays amnesty international nashville is bringing you a weekly video ...

some are music concert clips as a lot of bands and performers are supporters of amnesty international...

some are wily and witty such as the take-off of an HSN-type network selling ak-47s...

but this is v-day week and we are promoting our stop violence against women campaign and its recognition by the margaret cuninggim women's center and project safe at vanderbilt so this one isn't cuddly, or cute, or clever, or classical - it is what it is because domestic violence against women is what it is...

so view the video and see what 69 we're talking about...

peace out <3

Amnesty International clip

take action to save women’s lives in guatemala..

it's timely really that just 2 days after learning that our nashville chapter would benefit from this year's v-day production of the vagina monologues at vanderbilt that amnesty international would issue this action alert...

you see the educational focus of this year's nashville v-day event is violence against women in conflict (and post-conflict) zones and the prevalence of violence against women in guatemala today has its roots in historical and cultural values which have maintained women’s subordination and which were most evident during the 36-year internal armed conflict that ended with the signing of the united nations-brokered peace accords in 1996...and of the estimated 200,000 people who "disappeared" or were extra-judicially executed during guatemala’s internal armed conflict, a quarter of the victims were women...

that's synergy...

more than 2,500 women and girls have been brutally murdered in guatemala since 2001 and the killings are rising at an alarming rate...at the same time, actions by the guatemalan government to bring those responsible to justice are insufficient...

a house resolution condemning these brutal killings has been reintroduced in congress by representative hilda solis and may go to the floor for a vote at any time! Urge your representative now to support this resolution »

this resolution:- expresses the sympathy of the house of representatives to the families of women and girls murdered in guatemala, and - encourages the government of guatemala to bring an end to these crimes...(that is, get their freaking heads out of their BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP)...

take this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women and girls in guatemala. Contact your Representative as soon as possible and ask her/him to sign on to this important resolution » ...

TODAY! - RIGHT NOW - CLICK ABOVE, OKAY?!?!?!?!

peace out <3

local amnesty chapter benefits from vagina monologues...

the #1 mantra for a community organizer??? -- it's all about relationships...

and that really helps explain why amnesty international nashville will be the beneficiary of eve ensler’s award-winning play the vagina monologues presented by project safe of the margaret cuninggim women's center at vanderbilt university...

each year all proceeds proceeds form the v-day production benefit a local organization working to stop violence against women...and this year it's the stop violence against women campaign of the nashville chapter of amnesty international usa...

and the relationship thing i was referring to??? well local activists diba enayat, becky owens, and jennifer kinsey have developed a working relationship with kacy silverstein and vicky basra over at project safe through their work the past 2 years on the take back the night march and rally held in october each year...and it is through this working relationship that amnesty international's stop violence against women's campaign was considered for this very special honor...

because, these $$$ will allow becky (who works with a domestic violence program at the ywca) along with diba to roll-out a model program for working with victims of domestic violence in safe spaces ... woot woot!

the 2007 college campaign production of the vagina monologues takes place february 11, 13, 14 from 7:00 - 09:00 pm at the sarratt student center theater on the vanderbilt campus ... tickets can be purchased for $12 at the sarratt cinema box office (vandy card, cash or check accepted) or by will call at 322-1333...

so our deepest thanks go out to the staff of project safe at the margaret cuninggim women's center at vanderbilt for recognizing the value and integrity of our work!!! oh yeah - and attend the show on either the 11th, 13th, or 14th!!!

peace out <3

monday's video - on the illegality of the iraqi conflict...

here's the video version of lt watada's official public statement ...

conscientious objector or not???

a most interesting individual lurks about as the u.s. senate prepares to debate competing non-binding resolutions regarding the funding for the war in iraq...

based on his belief that the war in Iraq is illegal and immoral, lt. ehren watada is refusing to deploy to iraq...he is being court-martialed by the u.s. military and faces up to 4 years in prison...we in amnesty international believe that a guilty verdict would be a violation of internationally recognized rights to freedom of conscience...

listen to lt. watada's official statement on a you tube video by clicking here...

amnesty international's press release on lt. watada's situation can be read here...

the transcript of an interview with ehren can be found here on kevin site's in the zone blogsite...

what do you think about lt. watada's decision???

peace out <3

$100 billion

President Bush has requested over $100 billion for the war in Iraq for 2007. That's $100 billion not spent on lowering education costs. $100 billion not going to post-Katrina rebuilding. $100 billion not redistributed to our poorest and most disadvantaged citizens. $100 billion not helping to fight the homeless crisis. $100 billion not going to ESL classes or adult education. $100 billion not going to the Sudan, or Haiti, or Serbia, among others. It is $100 billion going to a mismanaged war, which the majority of Americans do not want (and did not want) fought. $100 billion dollars not even going to the families of injured and fallen soldiers who have already paid the price.

America is one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world. What are we doing?

trial of blogger in egypt expands realm of repression...

you all take the right to express yourself through blogging for granted...this should alert you to never take such "simple" rights for granted...and at least imply why amnesty international should be important to you...

Amnesty International today called for the immediate and unconditional release of Karim Amer, the first Egyptian blogger to be tried for writing blogs criticizing Egypt's al-Azhar religious authorities, President Husni Mubarak and Islam.

Karim Amer, a former al-Azhar University student and blogger, is facing up to 10 years in prison for his writings in a trial that resumes today. Charges against him include “spreading information disruptive of public order and damaging to the country’s reputation”, “incitement to hate Islam” and “defaming the President of the Republic”.

"Karim Amer's trial appears intended as a warning by the authorities to other bloggers who dare criticize the government or use their blogs to spread information considered harmful to Egypt’s reputation," said Malcolm Smart, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme. "This is particularly worrying as bloggers have increasingly been posting information about human rights abuses in Egypt, including torture and police violence against peaceful protesters."

The trial opened on 18 January 2007 before Maharram Bek Court in Alexandria. Karim Amer was charged under Articles 102, 176 and 179 of Egypt’s Penal Code. Amnesty International has been urging the Egyptian authorities to review or abolish this and other legislation that, in violation of international standards, stipulates prison sentences for the mere exercise of the rights of freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion."

Amnesty International considers Karim Amer to be a prisoner of conscience who is being prosecuted on account of the peaceful expression of his views about Islam and the al-Azhar religious authorities. We are calling for his immediate and unconditional release."

Background

Karim Amer was first detained by the Egyptian authorities for 12 days in October 2005 because of his writings on his blog (karam903.blogspot.com) about Islam and the sectarian riots which took place in the same month in Alexandria's Maharram Bek district. These riots followed reports that the video of a play believed to be anti-Islam was being screened in a Coptic church in the district.

After he was charged and released, disciplinary measures were taken against him and he was dismissed from al-Azhar University in March 2006. The university's disciplinary board found him guilty of blaspheming Islam.

He was summoned to appear before the office of the Public Prosecutor in Maharram Bek district of the city of Alexandria on 7 November 2006 following a complaint made against him by al-Azhar University. The Public Prosecutor ordered his detention for four days on 7 November, which was later extended for a further 15 days, to allow further time for investigation. He has remained in detention since then following a series of extensions. While in detention, he was kept in solitary confinement and in incommunicado detention and was only allowed visits by his relatives last week.

source: Amnesty International USA

peace out <3

child soldiers use the ak-47...

yesterday we posted a video about the loopholes used by arms dealers to sell their "wares" around the world and the fact that child soldiers are trained to use the ak-47 in the wars they are subjugated to fight in...

now here's a letter from jimmie briggs who wrote "Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go To War," ...

Over the last year and a half, since the publication of my first book, "Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go To War," Amnesty International has been a major supporter, and partner, of mine. In particular, my involvement with the Human Rights Education Program and Artists for Amnesty has allowed me to grow as a journalist, and advocate, in ways I couldn't previously have imagined. The curriculum guide for my book has become a major tool for me to gain access to educational institutions and settings across the country. Whenever I visit a high school or university, the guide is a constant companion to be disseminated as widely as possible. Further, my relationship with Amnesty has provided me with the opportunity to participate in Amnesty-sponsored panels and screenings around issues close to my own interests, including war-affected children and women, arms, conflict resources and gender rights.

It took me a period of eight years to complete the research, reporting and writing of my book. My professional journey to fully capture the experiences of children in war continues, but now I am moving toward a focus on the lives of women and girls, especially when it comes to gender-based violence. Again, Amnesty International continues to provide assistance when asked as well as nurture me as a voice of experience and knowledge on a range of issues.

Being a freelancer, I've gotten quite used to doing things for myself, by myself. Working with Amnesty International and groups like it create vital relationships. Unfortunately, I didn't grow up with a full understanding or exposure to the notion of "human rights." My relationship with Amnesty International is its own education on the concept, and I remain very, very grateful to know the amazing individuals who work there.

Often I'm asked about my "objectivity," or "bias." From my point-of-view, one can't be objective about the individuals exercising their full human rights. I'm a journalist and writer, but I also see my responsibility to educate and advocate for those whose voices aren't heard. Amnesty International helps me do that.

Please check-out the Amnesty International USA website to learn more about how you can take action on a range of issues. Visit the education page of the website to learn about new resources and ways that you can contribute to the HRE program's
work.

In Solidarity,
Jimmie Briggs
Author of Innocents Lost: When Child Soliders Go to War

peace out <3

my father's a salesman ma'am...

oops, sorry, i was buying something over at HSN ...a lovely thing really, ...

well, it's time for our weekly video ... enjoy!


Amnesty International Lord Of War video

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Close to home

I want to tell you a story.

I grew up in a small town in Georgia. The highschool
in this town has a black prom and a white prom. It
has a black homecoming queen and a white homecoming
queen as well as homecoming court.

No one socialized with the latin migrant workers
who came through at periodic times of the year. Their
children did not speak English and were still placed
in the same classrooms as the rest of us, to sit and
learn nothing. They would leave a few weeks later.

My class started out with over 100 students and I
graduated with only 62 other people. At least eight
of them were pregnant. Two, that I can remember,
dropped out due to the pressures of having more than
one child before they were seventeen years old.

These facts alone are not what scares me.

I graduated from high school in 2000. 25 years old is
not old enough to have had the experience of
segregated proms. My mother should not have had
to listen what people were calling me for arguing for
gay rights and special education for ESL students. My
best friend's three year old son should not
automatically be the son of a whore simply because he
can claim two races.

That scares me.

We are only as strong as our weakest communities.
And South Georgia is not the only haven for racism,
high drop-out rates, teen pregnancy, non-existant
health care, and ignorance.

It's a silent epidemic that can't be relegated to the
most unseen corners of the south. So, people in
Tennessee can take some measure of comfort in knowing
that they are not alone in their societal problems.

Ok, now it's time to stop commiserating, stop
justifying, and start DOING SOMETHING.

way to go larry...

larry cox became the new executive director of amnesty international usa in april of last year succeeding bill schultz who served for 10 years...having most recently come from the ford foundation you might not expect him to be he fireball that he is...

so last week charles stimson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for detainee affairs made some disparaging and uncivil remarks regarding attorneys that represent detainees at the guantánamo bay detention center and regarding international calls for the center's closure...

larry cox didn't waste a minute in firing back and challenging the anti-american values being promoted by the current u.s. administration...

"Stimson's remarks could not have been more irresponsible. Referring to the international outrage at the U.S.-controlled detention center at Guantánamo Bay as nothing more than a few small demonstrations staged by Amnesty International is not only wrong but extremely disrespectful. After the U.S. government has been rebuked by world leaders, including leaders from allied countries, two U.N. committees, faith leaders, and people of conscience around the world, it is incredible that anyone would believe that the outrage about Guantánamo rests only with Amnesty International activists. Amnesty International has worked with other human rights organizations, legal associations, faith communities and international bodies in opposing U.S. policies in Guantánamo and will continue to do so as one of a cacophony of voices calling for its closure.

"Attacking attorneys who take their time, without recompense, to defend the human rights of people who have been subject to indefinite and arbitrary detention by the U.S. government distracts from the human rights violations that continue to be committed in Guantánamo Bay. Amnesty International stands with the attorneys who are dedicated to protecting the internationally recognized rights of all people in custody, and recognizes them as human rights defenders committed to upholding the rule of law.

"Rather than attack the law firms that have courageously and zealously fought for the most fundamental rights for their clients, such as the right to have their detention reviewed by an independent court, Mr. Stimson should spend his time working to bring the United States back into the community of civilized nations that does not imprison people without charge, without hope and without end."

peace out <3

demand the relese of mesfin woldemariam...

seventy-six year old retired geography professor and prominent human rights defender, mesfin woldemariam, is being detained under harsh conditions and suffers from pneumonia...he is being held in connection with demonstrations against alleged election fraud in ethiopia...

SPEAK OUT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS!

Please send politely worded letters to Ethiopia's Prime Minister, urging him to bring about the immediate and unconditional release of Mesfin Woldemariam and all those imprisoned solely for the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression. Encourage him to take measures to ensure that human rights defenders, opposition political parties, and independent journalists are free to carry out their activities without arbitrary detention or other reprisals.

Write to:

His Excellency
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
Office of the Prime Minister
PO Box 1031
Addis Ababa
ETHIOPIA

Fax: 011-251-11-552020
Airmail postage: 84 cents

You can use our sample letter as a guide (PDF MS Word), but please be encouraged to add your own thoughts.

peace out <3

no one knows what it's like...

i think monday should become video day - what do you think??? here's installment one in the conveyance of this new social contract...

Amnesty international awareness

Enabling the Homeless?

This is what I heard on the Nashville news yesterday. The Metro Council and the police department are issuing statements strongly discouraging individuals from giving money to the homeless. And not just money, but food, blankets and any other gifts that might alleviate their suffering for a moment, because it encourages them to beg instead of taking action to get themselves off the streets. 
     So are we enabling the homeless to continue being homeless? By buying a man a burger are we encouraging him not to seek help from the Rescue Mission or other official homeless shelters? Are we the root of the homeless problem? 

No

    That is the same logic that says: " If we provide translation services for immigrants they won't actually learn English. It doesn't have anything to do with the lack of affordable, convenient, well-staffed and well-equipped ESL classes. Or the fact that English is difficult to learn" or: "Wellfare just encourages people to stay poor. Poverty doesn't have anything to do with how hard it is to actually get good jobs, or affordable housing, health-care, child-care, education, electricity, car insurance, or decent public transportation."
    Perpetuating fear is not a solution. It is well known that some people do cheat the system, whether it is through voluntary homelessness, fraudelant welfare or any other.  What is NOT well known is the sheer volume of people who simply cannot get their feet under them.  Is it worth sacrificing our compassion to make sure that people who do not deserve it don't receive it? What message are we sending?
  Unfortunately, the metro council and the police department have sent the message loud and clear.  And it is not "help the homeless help themselves" as they would have us believe, but rather "do not encourage the homeless to be seen on the gracious streets of Nashville."  Because a problem is not our problem if we don't have to look at it.

let us install a darfur photo exhibit in your faith community...

"It was early in the morning, people were sleeping. About 400 armed people cordoned the village, with military uniforms, the same ones worn by the army… Some were shot and others, such as children and the elderly, were burned alive in their houses."

- A villager of Murli (Darfur)

this is part of the narrative that accompanies the photo exhibit yesterday my village was burned produced by amnesty international to highlight the human nature of the genocide taking place in darfur, sudan...

these photos and testimonies, collected by amnesty international, reveal a nightmare that one can only begin to comprehend...while they depict the gravest of suffering, the photos also portray the best of humanity — the extraordinary courage and strength of the people of darfur as they look towards a more hopeful future...

the photo exhibit allows us a window through which we see that children have been killed, tortured, and forcibly displaced...of the 6.5 million people living in darfur, at least 2.8 million have been directly affected by the ongoing violence and tens of thousands of people have lost their lives...

the nashville chapter of amnesty international has the full series mounted on foam board and available to be installed in your church, synagogue, mosque, other places of worship, schools, or offices...we have fact sheets, petitions, actions, reports to supplement the exhibit and empower your community members to make a difference...

call us at 615-473-2950 or e-mail us at aiusa149@bellsouth.net to find out how to get the photo exhibit installed today...

peace out <3

an extraordinary gift from yoko ono...

you know there are many artists who sell their music rights to corporations for the big bucks (the doors being a noticeable exception to this trend)...and when my activist friend steve earle's song the revolution starts now became a chevy truck song i nearly s__t my pants (but with all due respect his alimony obligations are way out there and he's dome tremendous things for the anti-war, anti-death penalty, and ban the landmine movements)...

however one notable exception led to amnesty international usa creating the make some noise campaign...

yoko gave the recording rights to “imagine” and john lennon’s entire solo songbook to amnesty international to utilize for is human rights work...through this amazingly selfless gift amnesty international is harnessing the power of music to inspire a new generation to stand up for human rights...

you rock yoko - oh yes you do...so check out our hommage to john right now...

the aim to attract one million new supporters worldwide... not by talking about the past, tugging on the heartstrings, or show images of suffering, but by making a positive impact on our world and collectively raise all our voices to make as much noise as we can for human rights....

so check out music by afroreggae, the black eyed peas, dobacaracol, jaguares, k-os, maroon 5, snow patrol, the cure, the postal service, and more...

check out a free video from the us vs john lennon...exclusive lennon covers, artist videos and opportunities to make an impact, it's time to inspire a new generation to stand up for human rights...

make some noise today!

peace out <3