First Amendment Issues - The Art of the Prank

July 13, 2007January 15, 2019

Surgeon General Gets Specific

Richard H. Carmona

In testimony before Congress, former U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona accused the Bush administration on Tuesday of muzzling him on sensitive public health issues. According to the Washington Post this makes him “the most prominent voice among several current and former federal science officials who have complained of political interference. Carmona, a Bush nominee who served from 2002 to 2006, told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that political appointees in the administration routinely scrubbed his speeches for politically sensitive content and blocked him from speaking out on public health matters such as stem cell research, abstinence-only sex education and the emergency contraceptive Plan B. ‘Anything that doesn’t fit into the political appointees’ ideological, theological or political agenda is often ignored, marginalized or simply buried,’ he said. ‘The problem with this approach is that in public health, as in a democracy, there is nothing worse than ignoring science or marginalizing the voice of science for reasons driven by changing political winds.'”

Originally by Sheldon Rampton from Center for Media and Democracy – Publishers of PR Watch on July 11, 2007

July 4, 2007January 15, 2019

Propaganda III World Tour Debuts

The Propaganda III World Tour opens today, July 4, 2007, at the Phoenix Hotel in San Francisco at 601 Eddie Street from 2 pm to 6 pm. Artists everywhere have been invited to submit their work. Organized by John Doffing, the show promises no curation and no censorship regardless of viewpoint. The exhibition will travel to cities throughout the U.S. and the world. If you can’t be there physically, you can visit the voluminous and fascinating online gallery at Flickr.

Says Doffing, “This is not a commercial art show, but rather a truly global celebration of free speech and untrammeled freedom of expression.” After the tour has ended, all original artwork will be donated to the Center for the Study of Political Graphics (CSPG) in Los Angeles.

From Carol Wells, Executive Director, Center for the Study of Political Graphics:

“There has never been a movement for social change without the arts””music, poetry, theater, posters””being central to that movement. Political posters are powerful historical documents reminding us of worldwide struggles, past and present, for peace and justice. Communication, exhortation, persuasion, instruction, celebration, warning: graphic art broadcasts its messages through bold images and striking designs.

“All art is political, but not all art is overtly political. Protest posters flaunt their politics to generate awareness or controversy. Raw and aggressive or polished and sophisticated, political posters are the graphics of dissent against existing injustices. Slapped on walls surreptitiously, often at great risk, by collectives and anonymous individuals, or carefully fashioned by recognized artists in well-equipped studios, protest posters communicate instantly and directly to both literate and non-literate viewers. Continue reading “Propaganda III World Tour Debuts”

July 1, 2007January 15, 2019

Arrest me, please

‘Reverend Billy’ Arrested at Critical Mass Bike Rally

New York (1010 WINS) — An antic activist who said he was sticking up for cyclists’ rights was arrested while loudly reciting the First Amendment, according to police and the activist.

Bill Talen, an actor and performance artist who crusades against consumerism as “Reverend Billy,” was arrested Friday before a monthly mass bicycle ride that has spurred friction between riders and police. Continue reading “Arrest me, please”

June 7, 2007January 15, 2019

Our rights in jeopardy

Matt Lepacek of Infowars confronts Rudy Giuliani pollster Ed Goeas with a question in the spin room after the 6/5/07 Republican debate in Manchester, New Hampshire while streaming live video. His subsequent arrest is captured by numerous cameras and his live audio continued to feed from inside the police vehicle after video was shut off by police. Later, his colleague Luke Rudowski is led outside by police. Rudowski is let go and explains what just happened.

Reporter Arrested on Orders of Giuliani Press Secretary
by Aaron Dykes & Alex Jones
Jones Report
June 5, 2007

Charged with Criminal Trespass Despite Protest of CNN Staff and Official Event Press Credentials at GOP Debate in New Hampshire

Manchester, NH – Freelance reporter Matt Lepacek, reporting for Infowars.com, was arrested for asking a question to one of Giuliani”s staff members in a press conference. The press secretary identified the New York based reporter as having previously asked Giuliani about his prior knowledge of WTC building collapses and ordered New Hampshire state police to arrest him.

Jason Bermas, reporting for Infowars and America: Freedom to Fascism, confirmed Lepacek had official CNN press credentials for the Republican debate. However, his camera was seized by staff members who shut off the camera, according to Luke Rudkowski, also a freelance Infowars reporter on the scene. He said police physically assaulted both reporters after Rudkowski objected that they were official members of the press and that nothing illegal had taken place. Police reportedly damaged the Infowars-owned camera in the process. Continue reading “Our rights in jeopardy”

June 7, 2007January 15, 2019

The future of freedom

Censorship ‘changes face of net’
BBC News
June 6, 2007

Amnesty International has warned that the internet “could change beyond all recognition” unless action is taken against the erosion of online freedoms.

The warning comes ahead of a conference organised by Amnesty, where victims of repression will outline their plights.

The “virus of internet repression” has spread from a handful of countries to dozens of governments, said the group.

Amnesty accused companies such as Google, Microsoft and Yahoo of being complicit in the problem. Continue reading “The future of freedom”