Support the Punks in Aceh, Indonesia
I’m sure that many of you have seen or heard that the Police in the Province of Aceh, Indonesia have, under orders of a religious fundamentalist government, rounded up punk rock fans and have shaved the punks heads, taken their dog collars, necklaces and chains and thrown them into pools of water for “spiritual cleansing.” The punks will now ‘spend 10 days getting rehabilitation, training in military-style discipline and religious classes, including Quran recitation. Afterward, they’ll be sent home.’
I’m sure you can easily imagine how tit might feel to receive this treatment and perhaps, if you’re a fan of punk, metal or any music subculture it hits a close to home in a way that is slightly little different than the ‘average’ human rights abuses we’ve sadly grown accustomed to ignoring. I can easily empathize with the complete frustration and humiliation these ‘punks’ must feel as I have had a few brushes with bully ‘authorities’ who pretend they’re acting ‘in the name of the law’ but I have never, and hopefully never will, experience this type of human rights abuse by authorities of a state.
In the past Propagandhi has received letters from people in Banda Aceh and all over Indonesia so any one of these people could be the same people who have contacted us. I imagine that they feel complete rage and isolation inside at the moment. In the off chance that they might see this post I’d like to say to all the Punks who’ve been victimized by authorities in Indonesia that we, the members of Propagandhi, are supporting you and admire that you have expressed yourselves even at your own expense. You are definitely people to look up to and honor.
For us here in North America, and anywhere in the world where we are allowed to dress how we want (but clearly not to publicly demonstrate or protest), let this be a reminder of what happens when society follows fundamentalists and allows ‘morals’ to be dictated. There are a lot of people in all our countries who would love to give the ‘spiritual cleansing’ treatment to punks as well as people of other religions, fans of Harry Potter and countless other groups they may label as ‘deviants’.
To everybody: If you believe in human dignity, autonomy, and the right for people to be able to make their own decisions- keep fighting for your rights and freedoms, as well as the rights and freedoms of others.
Hopefully within the lifetimes of the punks arrested in Aceh they will have the liberty to express themselves the way they choose.
Change.org has made a petition to advocate for their release.
The record label Aborted Society is collecting mix tapes and burned CD’s (no cases) to send to their fellow punks to help with morale. Maybe you can help out?
Check out this 100% ruling documentary about the Indonesian punk ‘scene’.
If anyone else has any ideas, or has anything on the go to help out send us a message about it. Thanks.
Keep the spirit alive everybody.
P.S. When visiting America be sure not to dance at the Jefferson Monument.
October 25th, Occupy Wall Street.
It was cool to see that Egyptian activist Asmaa Mahfouz , who you may know from her video urging Egyptians to protest in Tahir Square, was speaking at Occupy Wall Street today. She’s a remarkable person who’s earned her place in history by being brave and working towards a better world.
If you are participating in Occupy Wall Street in any way, keep going! Let everyone know that Earth isn’t just a stomping ground/garbage dump for a spoiled and tiny fraction of it’s inhabitants. Send the message to the “elites” that their ability to live the easy life at all of our expense is coming to an end. If you haven’t seen the website yet, check it out: occupywallst.org
Take care!
CHAN delegation to Haiti to report findings in public meetings across Canada
Hi folks,
Here in Winnipeg, we raised some funds earlier this summer to help finance a 10 day delegation visit to Haiti by activists involved with the Canada-Haiti Action Network (CHAN). A set of public meetings across Canada are scheduled to publicize the findings. Our event in Winnipeg will be held at the lovely Mondragon Bookstore and Café, Monday, Sept. 26th, 7 – 9 PM (free admission).
Events elsewhere can be viewed at:
www.canadahaitiaction.ca/events
I’ve been involved with CHAN since 2005, helping to organize awareness raising events and fundraisers to help sustain organizations such as the IJDH, Haiti Liberte, Partners in Health, and the Cuban Medical Brigade, to mention a few. There are numerous ways people can get involved to help support social justice in Haiti. Doing nothing will simply ensure that big business and their servile scumbag smiley faced politicians will continue to operate with impunity. The latest chapters in the uninterrupted 200+ years of reactionary counter-revolution by wealthy nations (and now transnational capital) against Haiti continue to unfold. Perhaps we can have a small hand in sticking a wrench in all of this.
Check out
when you have a chance.
Two worlds Colliding.
Check out this movie ‘Two World’s Colliding’ from the National Film Board Of Canada. This documentary chronicles the story of Darrell Night, a Native man who was dumped by 2 police officers in ‑20° C temperatures in a barren field on the outskirts of Saskatoon in January 2000. He found shelter at a nearby power station and survived the ordeal, but he was stunned to hear that the frozen body of another Aboriginal man was discovered in the same area. Days later, another victim, also Native, was found.
This film is an inquiry into what came to be known as Saskatoon’s infamous “freezing deaths,” and the schism between a fearful, mistrustful Aboriginal community and a police force that must come to terms with a shocking secret.
Nicolas Merritt Plays "Coaches Corner"
A young little man plays “Coaches Corner” on the drums! Right on!
Mexico's Permaculture Punks.
This is awesome. I love seeing people getting out there and using what’s around them to make the world a bit better.
Good News/ Bad News
Hello fellow inmates of this intergalactic prison colony/quarantine zone called Earth. How the heck are you?
So, we’ve got a classic good news/bad news situation on our hands to share with you this fine august day.
The bad news is that due to a serious injury, we can’t play the Red River Rampage show in September. 13 years of judo-throwing 250-lb men and then defending jiujitsu guard-pass attempts by the same behemoths has finally caught up with Todd The Rod. He currently can’t even hold his bass for more than 10 seconds without excruciating pain in his back. He’s been trying to get answers from this eviscerated joke of a health-care system for months now to no avail. Thanks corporate-welfare/ social-capitalism!
We actually had to resort to sending him down the US to get a goddamn MRI at a private clinic to see what the hell was going on in his spine and surprise, surprise, he’s got bulging discs, tears and pinched nerves all over the place.
The good news is that the Red River Rampage organizers have bent over backwards to keep us in their plans and have moved the show to March 23rd. A long ways away, i know, but hopefully enough time for us to get Todd healthy in the long-term.
And that’s the good news: Todd is going full tilt on a structured physio program to get back to full capacity. It’s only been a couple weeks and he already feels small improvements in terms of the pain. Me, Beave and Jord have been keeping the song-writing juggernaut rolling in the background meanwhile. We’re still on track to rock out and make a ridiculously facemelting record this winter! So shut your pie-holes and hold on to you pantaloons people. The assault continues!
It's a nice one outside in The Peg tonight...
Hello, everybody! How’s it going this fine evening?
I hope you’re enjoying your evening and seasoning it, help other people as much as possible with some levity and common sense, two things that are sorely lacking in the world at the moment.
I have one little thing to say tonight: Try to keep your life’s endeavors positive; there’s way too many good and cool people and great things going on in this world to waste your life being negative or hateful. Create and achieve, my friends. Work hard, help other people as much as possible and keep rolling on.
Thanks.