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Protest Poster

DEMO: A demonstration in words. A poetry reading on the RNC, President Bush and the crisis in Iraq. Wednesday, September 1, 2004 at 8pm. St. Mark's Church, 131 E. 10th St. & 2nd Ave., New York City. Free. Featuring Carl Hancock Rux, Sapphire, Katha Pollitt, Mark Doty, Anne Waldman, Cornelius Eady, Vijay Seshadri, Hal Sirowitz, Bob Holman, Eileen Myles, Marie Ponsot, Robert Polito, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Corie Feiner, John Yau, Rodrigo Toscano, Carol Mirakove, Greg Fuchs, Anselm Berrigan, Laura Elrick, Bruce Andrews, Kathy Engel, Zero Boy, John Coletti & Kristin Prevallet.
Protest Poster

"Protesting in Verse, Not Shouts" featured in the NY Times
NY Times

Hosted by Jen Benka and Ram Devineni. Presented by Rattapallax, Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church & Issue Project Room. Sponsored by Rattapallax, Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church, Issue Project Room, Bowery Poetry Club, National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, Asian American Writers Workshop, Booklyn, Bloom Magazine, Melville House Books, Unpleasant Event Schedule Reading Series, Teachers & Writers, LouderArts, Happy Ending Reading Series, The Bronx Writers' Center, Soft Skull Press, belladonna*, Spire Press, terra incognita magazine, Lungfull!, Small Press Center, American Book Review, Pete's Big Salmon Series, Readings Between A & B & Hanging Loose Press, Open City Magazine and Books, Imagine Festival of Arts, Issues & Ideas & Poets Against the War. Poster design: Erik Brandt with typografika.com

Demo Reading

A special newspaper was printed featuring poetry and fiction on the War in Iraq and poetry about the RNC and President Bush.

Download press release (PDF)
First Amendment Project

At a time when freedom of speech has never been more important, Sundance Channel and Court TV present films from THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT, a highly innovative and wildly entertaining anthology of original films that explore First Amendment rights through the headline-grabbing moments where our Constitution’s integrity has been tested.

Laugh along with political comedian Al Franken as he battles Fox News over a ridiculous trademark infringement case, then consider the implications of state-sponsored art through the firestorm that erupted when activist writer and New Jersey Poet Laureate Amiri Baraka read a controversial poem about 9/11. The right to protest versus the need for public security is scrutinized against the backdrop of the 2004 Republican National.

Reflecting the distinctive sensibilities and personal perspectives of award-winning indie filmmakers--Mario Van Peebles (Baadasssss!); Chris Hegedus & Nick Doob (The War Room); and John Walter (How to Draw a Bunny)--these original films challenge viewers to examine their understanding of civil liberties, using instances when unpopular, irreverent, and politically incorrect expression ran against prevailing attitudes and powerful interests.

Director John Walter looks at Freedom of Assembly and the right to protest against the backdrop of last summer’s Republican National Convention. He follows a range of participants, including protestors, organizers and politicians, in examining the competing priorities of security vs. First Amendment rights. The film tracks the story from the campaign build up to the aftermath of the convention in New York City. John Malkovich is the Executive Producer. The film follows writer and poet Katha Pollitt to the Demo reading.