El Corazón de nuestra gente esta en la comunidad y como comunidad nos unimos con un solo corazon en solidaridad con nuestros hermanos en Arizona, por nuestra comunidad en el Condado de La Naranja y el resto del pais. We come together as mothers, students, workers, teachers, indigenous peoples, leaders and community members to proclaim that “Another World is Possible”/ “Otro Mundo es Posible”.

Immigration Reform is not the only struggle that affects our community but rather we are communities of color that face many struggles. The May Day March aims at not only acknowledging the current discrimination and oppression found in our streets but to celebrate Human Rights. We are a community of many colors and diversity. We cannot forget the hard-working mother that works two minimum-wage low end jobs to feed and clothe her three children or the immense sacrifices that undocumented AB540 students carry out in order to fight for their education and the DREAM Act. Our workers, including day laborers, need our support and action to ensure that they receive respect and human treatment and dignified living wages. Our communities cannot afford our schools to perform poorly and so we must connect the parents and local politicians to the education system in order to move our students forward.

Hate has no place in our neighborhoods, and as gente unidad we do not welcome racist individuals like sheriff John Arpaio nor do we support businesses like Original Mike’s who choose to bring racism into our neighborhoods. We DEMAND immigration raids to end. The well-being of our families and friends is found in unity not separation. Automobiles need to stop being impounded away from hard-working individuals without legitimacy. Our community needs to stop being victims of greedy institutions like the Santa Police Department and individuals like Mayor Pulido. Our youth needs creative and cultural spaces to organize and have their voices heard. We DEMAND that our youth no longer be treated as criminal and thus incarcerated. At the same time, we cannot ignore the self-discrimination we manifest against our own gente, nuestra comunidad LGBTQ Latin@. We cannot kill our people. We have to make every business owner, police officer, politician, student, teacher and every member of our community accountable for the positive progress of our entire community. In order for change to occur, we must at all times be inclusive and not forget any person or group behind.

De esta manera y con el Corazon de nuestra comunidad en nustras manos podemos empezar a caminar juntos y gritar que “OTRO MUNDO ES POSIBLE”. ¡Si se Puede!

Join the L.A. Indymedia Collective for a community screeening of the powerful film:
BASTARDS OF THE PARTY

“Bastards of the Party” which chronicles the history of gangs in Los Angeles including the notorious Bloods and Crips. This film is an important part of recent and no so recent Los Angeles history told from the point of view of a young survivor of the street wars. At 36 years of age and surprised to find himself alive, Cle “Bone” Sloan begins to ask the question:

“WHY ARE WE KILLING EACH OTHER”?

The search for the anwers lead him to, among other places, the Southern California library and to historian Mike Davis. The history that “Bone” uncovers tells the story of the origin of the “Bones” and the “Crips” in Los Angeles and how the gangs arose from the ashes when the “black Panther Party” was destroyed by COINTELPRO.

THIS CRITICAL HISTORY EXPLORES THE WAY SOCIETY DEALS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE MADE “IRRELEVANT” BY ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL SHIFTS IN SOCIETY. IT ALSO DISCUSSES THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE GANGS. MEMBERS OF THE BLACK RIDERS WILL ATTEND FOR AN OPEN DISCUSSION AFTER THE FILM.

WHEN: FRIDAY, MAY 16, @7:30 PM

WHERE: CAFE MARIPOSA: 1547 SUNSET BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA, 90026
1/2 BLOCK EAST OF ECHO PARK AVE. IN ECHO PARK TEL: 213-481-9917
CONTACT: L.A. INDYMEDIA: anna1baila@yahoo.com

http://www.bastardsoftheparty.net/

Zeitgeist, the Movie is a 2007 web film produced by Peter Joseph that presents a number of conspiracy theories related to Christianity, the attacks of 9/11, and the Federal Reserve Bank. It was released free online via Google Video in June of 2007. A remastered version was presented as a global premiere on November 10, 2007 at the 4th Annual Artivist Film Festival & Artivist Awards.

A defying and pulverizing documentary that will leave you cold. A powerful propaganda film or simply an elaborated prank? You are to be the judge. The fact of the matter is that since it’s release in June 2006 in Google video millions of people, have been hammered on the head with big questions such as christianity, empowerment, goverment hidden agendas, terrorism and war as one of the most lucrative business. Well, that what this film is all about. Zeitgeist is originally a German expression that means “the spirit of the age”, literally translated as “time (Zeit) spirit (Geist)”. It describes the intellectual and cultural climate of an era. In German, the word has more layers of meaning than the English translation, including the fact that Zeitgeist can only be observed for past events.

Zeitgeist, produced by Peter Joseph, as he states on his website “was created as a nonprofit filmiac expression to inspire people to start looking at the world from a more critical perspective and to understand that very often things are not what the population at large think they are. The information in Zeitgeist was established over a year long period of research and the current Source page on this site lists the basic sources used / referenced and the Interactive Transcript includes exact source references and further information.”

The author warns the novice spectator not to take his word for granted and grunt in desbelief by doing their own research throwing the lines “Now, it’s important to point out that there is a tendency to simply disbelieve things that are counter to our understanding, without the necessary research performed.”

“That being said, It is my hope that people will not take what is said in the film as the truth, but find out for themselves, for truth is not told, it is realized” There you go, so go ahead and watch the film, then come to your own conclusions. All in all you’re just another brick in the wall. Coming up is what it’s being called Z Day a worldwide effort to screen the film in March 15, 2008.

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

This event will be transmitted by Radio Zapatista 97.7 FM
MARCH FOR EMILIANO ZAPATA
APRIL 8TH 9:00 AM @ 3000 CESAR CHAVEZ
corner with Evergreen St. in E.L.A. event starts at 12 noon till 6pm at Parque Mexico by plaza d la Raza
Music and Art by: Xochisoneros, Son Real, Ind. Revolution, Protesta Infinita, Danzas Folcloricas, El Difunto, Chango Macho, Rabia, Raskahuele, Almas Intocables, poetry� and more

Kpfk 90.7 fm is de media sponsor for this event.

Kpfk.org

WWW.MARCHAPORZAPATA.BLOGSPOT.COM
OR 1888-ZZAPATA –1888-992-7282
Vendors call (310)359-8012 or standupporfin@aol.com
and volunteer to dress as revolutionaries Zapatistas from 1910 (626)236-6274
Co-sponsor by APPO-LA, UNION DEL BARRIO, NICANA. MORATORIA CHICANA, COP WATCH, ANSWER. FAPLA.
Endorsers: Puerto Rican Alliance, la Otra Orange, FPR, FCLR, Antiracist action, padres unidos de Maywood, Jornaleros Unidos del Valle de San Gabriel, ESPACIOALTERNATIVO.COM

+

EL Frente unido de los pueblos americanos
Te invita a la: 13va MARCHA POR NUESTRO GENERAL EMILIANO

MARCHA EN HONOR A NUESTRO GENERAL EMILIANO ZAPATA POR EL APOYO A NUESTROS PUEBLOS EN LUCHA, EN CONTRA DE LA GUERRA Y LAS INVASIONES YANQUIS, CONTRA LOS ASESINATOS DE LA POLICIA Y POR EL BIENESTAR Y EL RESPETO A NUESTRA COMUNIDAD.

DOMINGO 8 DE ABRIL 2007 9:00 am -6:00 pm
LA MARCHA COMIENZA A LAS 9 AM EN EL 3000 DE LA CALLE CESAR CHAVEZ Y AVANZA HACIA EL PARQUE MEXICO EN LAS ESQUINAS DE LA MISSION Y VALLEY EN LINCOLN HEIGHTS.

La marcha sera trasmitida por Radio Zapatista 97.7 FM
POESIA, Musica por XOCHISONEROS, SON REAL, PROTESTA INFINITA, EL DIFUNTO, RASKAHUELE, CHANGO MACHO, NASH, INDIGENOUS REVOLUTION, ALMAS INTOCABLES, DANZAS FOLCLORICAS, ARTE�

elcomite@cpdmla.org
WWW.MARCHAPORZAPATA.BLOGSPOT.COM
1888-ZZAPATA –1888-992-7282
Estamos necesitando compa�er@s para formar columnas de revolucionari@s Zapatistas,
si quieres participar llama al (626) 236-6274 para vendedores llama al (310) 359-8012 standupporfin@aol.com

Co-auspician. APPO-LA, UNION DEL BARRIO, NICANA, MORATORIA CHICANA, FAPLA.
Endorsan: Alianza puertorrique�a, la otra orange, ANSWER, FPR, FCLR, Anti-racist action, Padres Unidos de Maywood, Jornaleros unidos del Valle de San Gabriel, ESPACIOALTERNATIVO.COM

FEBRERO DEL 2006.

EL EZLN DICE SU PALABRA SOBRE LO QUE LOS MALOS GOBIERNOS EST�N PREPARANDO, EN EL ESTADO DE CHIAPAS, EN CONTRA DE LAS COMUNIDADES IND�GENAS ZAPATISTAS:

PRIMERO.- COMO HA SIDO DENUNCIADO POR LOS MUNICIPIOS AUT�NOMOS Y LAS JUNTAS DE BUEN GOBIERNO, LAS SUPUESTAS CAMPA�AS CONTRA EL NARCOTR�FICO QUE REALIZAN LOS GOBIERNOS SON UNA FARSA. IGUAL A LA QUE LLEV� AL PODER AL SE�OR CALDER�N HINOJOSA

EN LOS MUNICIPIOS CON GOBIERNOS OFICIALES ES P�BLICO EL ENCUBRIMIENTO QUE LAS AUTORIDADES HACEN DE QUIENES TRAFICAN CON AUTOS ROBADOS Y CON QUIENES SIEMBRAN DROGAS Y LAS TRAFICAN.

EL EJ�RCITO FEDERAL, CUANDO LLEGA A DESTRUIR PLANT�OS DE MARIGUANA, S�LO DESTRUYE LAS PLANTAS MADURAS Y DEJA LOS RETO�OS. ESTO CON EL FIN DE TENER UN PRETEXTO PARA REGRESAR Y TRATAR DE INTIMIDAR AS� A LOS PUEBLOS ZAPATISTAS.

ADEM�S, LAS AUTORIDADES NI SIQUIERA SABEN LA GEOGRAF�A DEL ESTADO, PUES UBICAN LA DESTRUCCI�N DE PLANT�OS COMO SI ESTUVIERAN EN TERRITORIOS ZAPATISTAS, SIENDO QUE CUALQUIERA SABE QUE SON TERRENOS GOBERNADOS POR AUTORIDADES PERTENECIENTES AL PRI Y AL PRD, HABITADOS POR SUS SEGUIDORES.

DESDE SU NACIMIENTO, EL EZLN TIENE PROHlBIDO LA SIEMBRA, EL TR�FICO Y EL USO DE DROGAS (AS� COMO LA COMERCIALIZACI�N Y EL USO DE ALCOHOL) Y AS� LO HAN REFRENDADO LAS AUTORIDADES CIVILES AUT�NOMAS.

A PESAR DE QUE EL SE�OR LUIS H. �LVAREZ, ANTIGUO E IN�TIL COMISIONADO PARA LA PAZ CON FOX Y AHORA BUR�CRATA �INDIGENISTA� CON CALDER�N HINOJOSA, HA DECLARADO UNA Y OTRA VEZ QUE EL EZLN ES COSA DEL PASADO, QUE YA NO TIENE FUERZA, QUE YA DESAPARECI�, NO S�LO NO HA DISMINUIDO LA PRESENCIA MILITAR EN CHIAPAS, SINO QUE SE HA INCREMENTADO.

SI YA NO EXISTIMOS, SI SOMOS �COSA DEL PASADO�, SI YA NO TENEMOS FUERZA, �POR QU� MANTIENEN Y REFUERZAN LA MILITARIZACI�N Y, COMO EN LOS TIEMPOS DE ZEDILLO Y ALBORES, LA PARAMILITARIZACI�N?

LOS OPERATIVOS CONTRA EL NARCOTR�FICO Y LOS VEH�CULOS ILEGALES SON MEROS PRETEXTOS PARA AUMENTAR LA YA DE POR S� DESPROPORCIONADA MILITARIZACI�N DEL CHIAPAS RURAL.

EN CHIAPAS ES DELITO SER ZAPATISTA O ACTIVISTA POR LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS Y LA DEFENSA DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE. ES DECIR, ES DELITO DEFENDER Y CUIDAR LOS BOSQUES, CASTIGAR E IMPEDIR EL NARCOTR�FICO Y EL TR�FICO DE MADERAS PRECIOSAS, CONDENAR LA COMERCIALIZACI�N DE VEH�CULOS ROBADOS, Y MEJORAR LAS CONDICIONES DE VIDA DE LAS COMUNIDADES IND�GENAS CON PROGRAMAS DE EDUCACI�N, SALUD, VIVIENDA Y COMERCIALIZACI�N.

EN CAMBIO, SER NARCOTRAFICANTE, TALAR BOSQUES Y TRAFICAR CON MADERAS PRECIOSAS, NEGOCIAR CON AUTOS ROBADOS, AMENAZAR DE MUERTE Y EMPOBRECER M�S A LAS COMUNIDADES, ES SER… MANDO MILITAR O POLICIACO, DIPUTADO, PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL O FUNCIONARIO ESTATAL O FEDERAL.

SEGUNDO.- LOS GOBIERNOS FEDERAL, ESTATAL Y MUNICIPALES EST�N PREPARANDO NUEVOS GRUPOS DE PARAMILITARES, AHORA BAJO EL DISFRAZ DE �ORGANIZACIONES IND�GENAS�. TAL ES EL CASO DE LA LLAMADA OPDDIC �U OPDIC� (ORGANIZACI�N PARA LA DEFENSA DE LOS DERECHOS IND�GENAS Y CAMPESINOS).

LA LLAMADA OPDDIC EST� DIRIGIDA POR EL SE�OR PEDRO CHUL�N, PRI�STA Y CONOCIDO PROMOTOR DE GRUPOS PARAMILITARES (ENTRE OTROS, EL �MIRA� �MOVIMIENTO IND�GENA REVOLUCIONARIO ANTIZAPATISTA�), FINANCIADOS POR LAS AUTORIDADES Y ENTRENADOS Y ABASTECIDOS POR EL EJ�RCITO FEDERAL. EL SE�OR PEDRO CHUL�N EMPEZ� SUS FECHOR�AS CON EL �CROQUETAS� ALBORES GUILL�N Y, DESDE ENTONCES, HA CONTADO CON LA COMPLICIDAD DE LOS SIGUIENTES GOBIERNOS ESTATALES Y DE LOS PARTIDOS POL�TICOS ELECTORALES.

EN LOS �LTIMOS D�AS, EL SE�OR PEDRO CHUL�N Y MIEMBROS DE SU BANDA HAN DECLARADO QUE POSEEN LAS ARMAS Y LA AUTORIZACI�N DEL GOBIERNO PARA PROVOCAR ENFRENTAMIENTOS CON BASES DE APOYO ZAPATISTAS. ESTO CON EL FIN DE PRESENTAR LA IMAGEN DE CHOQUES ENTRE IND�GENAS Y JUSTIFICAR AS� UNA INTERVENCI�N MASIVA DE LAS FUERZAS FEDERALES.

ADEM�S DE ESTO, LA OPDDIC Y EL SE�OR PEDRO CHUL�N EST�N PROMOVIENDO LA TALA DE �RBOLES Y EL TR�FICO DE MADERAS PRECIOSAS, ARREGLANDO CONTRATOS MILLONARIOS CON LAS EMPRESAS DESTRUCTORAS DE LA SELVA. ESTOS CONTRATOS S�LO LO BENEFICIAN A �L Y A LOS DEM�S DIRIGENTES DE LA OPDDIC, MIENTRAS QUE A SUS BASES LES DAN UNA MISERIA.

LA OPDDIC ES UNA ORGANIZACI�N CRIMINAL. SEG�N INVESTIGACIONES DEL EZLN, LA OPDDIC ES LA RESPONSABLE DIRECTA DEL ASESINATO DE IND�GENAS (EN UN PRINCIPIO ERR�NEAMENTE IDENTIFICADOS COMO BASES DE APOYO ZAPATISTAS) OCURRIDO EN NOVIEMBRE DEL A�O PASADO, EN LA COMUNIDAD DE VIEJO VELASCO SU�REZ, Y SE MANTIENEN EN LA IMPUNIDAD GRACIAS A SUS RELACIONES CON EL GOBIERNO.

ASIMISMO, LA OPDDIC, SIGUIENDO LOS PASOS DE LA ORGANIZACI�N PARAMILITAR �PAZ Y JUSTICIA� EN EL NORTE DE CHIAPAS, SE HA DEDICADO A AMENAZAR DE MUERTE A MIEMBROS DE ORGANIZACIONES NO GUBERNAMENTALES QUE, EN CHIAPAS, SE DEDICAN A LA DEFENSA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS Y DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE.

TALES SON LOS CASOS DE LA ONG ECOLOGISTA �MADERAS DEL PUEBLO DEL SURESTE�, Y DE LOS CENTROS DE DERECHOS HUMANOS �FRAY BARTOLOM� DE LAS CASAS� Y �FRAY LORENZO DE LA NADA�, CUYOS MIEMBROS HAN SIDO AMENAZADOS ABIERTAMENTE POR LA OPDDIC SIN QUE LAS AUTORIDADES HAGAN NADA.

EN LOS �LTIMOS D�AS, LA DIRECCI�N DE LA OPDDIC HA ENVIADO CORRESPONDENCIA, FIRMADA POR SUS DIRIGENTES, AMENAZANDO A FAMILIAS ENTERAS CON SER DESALOJADAS O ATACADAS POR EL DELITO DE NO AFILIARSE A SU BANDA PARAMILITAR O POR NO PERMITIR EL TR�FICO DE MADERA.

TERCERO.- A LA OPDDIC, AL SE�OR PEDRO CHUL�N Y A LAS AUTORIDADES GUBERNAMENTALES LES DECIMOS QUE ESTAMOS PREPARADOS Y DISPUESTOS A DEFENDER A NUESTROS PUEBLOS Y A HACER QUE SE CUMPLAN LEYES IND�GENAS QUE PROTEGEN LOS �RBOLES Y LA NATURALEZA DE LA SELVA LACANDONA, PROHIBIENDO LA TALA Y EL TR�FICO DE MADERAS PRECIOSAS, AS� COMO LA SIEMBRA, EL TR�FICO Y EL CONSUMO DE NARC�TICOS.

LES DECIMOS QUE SI EST�N DISPUESTOS A REINICIAR LA GUERRA CON ESOS MEDIOS, AUNQUE DISFRAZ�NDOLA DE �ENFRENTAMIENTO ENTRE IND�GENAS�, Y AMPARADOS EN LAS POSES MILITARISTAS DEL SE�OR CALDER�N, NOSOTROS TAMBI�N ESTAMOS DISPUESTOS Y LISTOS.

SI PIENSAN QUE AS� DETENDR�N NUESTRO PROYECTO POL�TICO DE LA �OTRA CAMPA�A�, LES DECIMOS QUE SE EQUIVOCAN. DURANTE A�OS NOS PREPARAMOS PARA ESTE ESFUERZO CIVIL Y PAC�FICO DE TRANSFORMACI�N REAL Y PROFUNDA DE NUESTRO PA�S, A�N EN MEDIO DE UNA GUERRA.

SI CALCULAN QUE CON ESE PLAN CULMINAR�N CON �XITO EL ANIQUILAMIENTO DE LAS COMUNIDADES IND�GENAS ZAPATISTAS Y DAR�N LUZ VERDE A LA DESTRUCCI�N Y EL SAQUEO DE LA SELVA LACANDONA, QUE SE ACELER� BAJO LOS GOBIERNOS DE ZEDILLO Y DE FOX, LES DECIMOS QUE ESTAMOS LISTOS Y DISPUESTOS A RESISTIR.

CON NUESTRA SANGRE RECUPERAMOS LA VIDA PARA NUESTRA MADRE LA TIERRA, CON NUESTRA SANGRE LA DEFENDEREMOS.

NO IMPORTA CU�NTOS SOLDADOS, POLIC�AS O PARAMILITARES VENGAN, CUIDAREMOS LA TIERRA QUE GUARDA A NUESTROS MUERTOS A�N A COSTA DE NUESTRA LIBERTAD O DE NUESTRA VIDA

�LIBERTAD Y JUSTICIA PARA ATENCO!

�LIBERTAD Y JUSTICIA PARA OAXACA!

�DEMOCRACIA!
�LIBERTAD!
�JUSTICIA!

Desde las monta�as del Sureste Mexicano.
Por el Comit� Clandestino Revolucionario Ind�gena-Comandancia General del Ej�rcito Zapatista de Liberaci�n Nacional.

Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos.
M�xico, Febrero del 2007

laotra@ezln.org.mx

Por Josue Meneses

Hasta donde es posible que pueda llegar el miedo, el odio y la pobreza extrema cuando se conjugan en un juego recalcitrante de poderes? Una lucha de fuego encontrado donde los pobres quedan atrapados en medio. Esta no es una historia de ficci�n sacada de algun drama hollywoodense, esto esta sucendiendo en este preciso momento mientras lees estas lineas. Que estamos haciendo al respecto? tal parece que no podemos hacer nada, sin embargo existe la opini�n publica que abiertamente expresa su sentir y es ahi donde debemos integrarnos como comunidad y repudiar este tipo de hechos, tanto en Oaxaca como en Irak o en cualquier otra parte del mundo.

Un grupo de artistas, poetas, escritores, activistas y gente trabajadora como tu y y como yo nos hemos unido a esta lista de personas que estamos hartos de ver el abuso de autoridad, la extorsi�n y la constante violaci�n de derechos humanos de Oaxaca donde gente humilde y grupos indigenas esta siendo ultrajados, dejando una ciudad destruida, vejada a causa del conflicto politico que viven ahi . Cual es la posici�n del gobierno de Mexico frente a todo esto? cual es la posici�n de nosotros como comunidad frente a una crisis de esta naturaleza? Es mas facil permanecer indiferentes ante estas atrocidades. Lo dificil es denunciar los hechos y levantar los muertos.

Necesitamos tu ayuda y apoyo, por favor envianos tu nombre y direcci�n para integrarte en esta misiva que sera publicada el 4 de diciembre en los diarios de mayor circulaci�n en Mexico:

info@espacioalternativo.com
benja_anaya@yahoo.com

EXIGENCIA DE LA COMUNIDAD CULTURAL
!DETENGAMOS YA LA BARBARIE EN OAXACA Y EN EL RESTO DE MEXICO!

Por Benjamin Anaya

Apreciamos la vida en plenitud, dignidad e igualdad de oportunidades, para todas las mujeres, hombres, ni?as, ni?os, adolescentes y ancianas y ancianos. Cada herida, cada muerte producto de la violencia nos duele en lo m?s profundo. Amamos tanto a M?xico, que ya no soportamos la barbarie en que la minor?a detentadora del poder se est? regodeando con sa?a indescriptible, como es el caso espec?fico de Oaxaca, pero con muchos otros ejemplos. Queremos compartir la libertad de vivir con dignidad humana, en el m?ximo de entendimiento y replanteamiento de nuestras relaciones, en virtud de nuestra coincidencia en el tiempo como seres vivos, de la cual nadie es culpable.

Por eso, quienes suscribimos esta exigencia inmediata para detener la barbarie y la represi?n a los movimientos sociales de Oaxaca, Atenco, Chiapas, Guerrero, Ciudad Ju?rez, y tantas regiones, estados, ciudades, pueblos y rancher?as de este gran pa?s, en que la gula, la estulticia y la ambici?n desgarran diariamente a seres inocentes y agreden lo m?s sagrado que es la vida y la salud humana, lo hacemos en nombre de la raz?n, la lucidez y la sabidur?a que deben ser nuestra gu?a, para que la minor?a usurpadora del poder reflexione y act?e ya, deteniendo inmediatamente la destrucci?n de nuestra patria. Detengamos juntos esta debacle nacional.

Si nuestra labor educativa, investigaci?n, poes?a, m?sica, narrativa, cine, obras pl?sticas, patrimonio cultural, ecol?gico e hist?rico, no significan nada para el poder, que por lo menos la vida humana les signifique algo: exigimos con energ?a que detengan la barbarie en nombre de su familia, para que al menos sus hijos tengan un motivo aut?ntico por el cual haberse sentido orgullosos una vez en la vida, esa vida que tanto desprecian.

info@espacioalternativo.com
benja_anaya@yahoo.com

One of John Lennon’s favorite hang outs in the city was Home, a bar/restaurant located on 1748 2nd Ave. The founder Richard Ross created a place for equal people to eat, drink, and jam. Today Home is a clothing store owned by the Ross family in San Diego, CA.

Monday, October 9th marks what would have been John Lennon?s 66th birthday. To honor this milestone, Worn Free announces their new John Lennon t-shirts to commemorate this special occasion. John Lennon was a spokesperson for his generation both musically and politically. As a member of the legendary rock band The Beatles, he brought music to millions of fans world wide. The Beatles were the first band to be televised globally.

As the 60?s ended, Lennon became outspoken about social injustice and the corruption he saw surrounding the war in Vietnam. He continued to speak out for change world wide until his untimely death in 1980. Even when Lennon?s positive messages couldn?t be heard, fans could see his message literally written across his chest.

Worn Free is the idea of innovative designer Steve Coe, who recognized certain T-shirts had come to define specific moments in rock history, and set out to make these designs available to everyone. Worn Free incorporates such memorable images as the YOU ARE HERE T-shirt, created and worn by Lennon and Yoko Ono as their personal life philosophy, along with GRAPEFRUIT, HOME and WORKING CLASS HERO, all licensed to Coe by Yoko herself.

?John Lennon was the inspiration for this entire project. He inspired me, and millions of other people with his creative expressions ? be it a song, a protest – a love-in or even a three-word phrase on a T-shirt. With Yoko?s support, I am proud to bring his words to a new generation of music lovers.?

All the shirts can be seen an purchased on the company website:

www.wornfree.com

Ritmo Peligroso or “Dangerous Rhythm” released the radio hit “Marielito” in 1985 and over 20 years later Pitbull brings up the US cuban immigration issue again. Un refrito politico…

Marielito is a term applied to roughly 125,000 people who fled to the United States from the Cuban port of Mariel in 1980.

Scarface, a 1983 movie starring Al Pacino, concerns a fictional Marielito, a criminal released from the Cuban prison population to the US. Because a number of prisoners were released alongside other refugees, an impression developed of “Marielitos”, and even Cuban exiles in general, as being criminals.

Cuban-American MC?s Debut Album M.I.A.M.I. Was the Biggest-Selling Bilingual Hip-Hop Debut In More Than a Decade, Selling More Than 600,000 Copies; Not Since Cypress Hill?s Debut Has a Spanish-Fluent Rap Artist Achieved Such Sales Levels

The #1 Latin Artist on Myspace Has More Than ?Culo? On His Mind; New Album El Mariel (Oct. 3rd – TVT Records) Addresses Subjects Ranging

from the Current State of Cuba to President Bush?s Misguided War in Iraq;

New ?Bojangles? Remix Video Featuring Lil Jon & Ying Yang Twins Will World Premiere on BET on Weds, Aug. 23rd at 7:30pm

Best-selling Cuban American MC Pitbull is gearing up for the October 3rd release of his highly-anticipated second studio album El Mariel (Diaz Bros./TVT Records). Although he makes songs about getting “culo,” Pitbull is more preoccupied with preserving the image of his isla bonita, Cuba, and unmasking Pres. George W. Bush’s misguided war.

With his new sophomore album, El Mariel, named after the infamous Cuban boatlift that relocated almost 125,000 cubanos to Florida, Pitbull will make the biggest impact a Latino has made in hip-hop since Big Pun. Inspired by one of the most dramatic events in Cuban history, El Mariel is overflowing with enlightening gems, rap ballads and club bangers. After the success of his gold-selling debut M.I.A.M.I. the music community was having a difficult time placing a label on Pit. ?They have this misconception about Pit,? says the 25-year-old MC. ?They?ll say, ?He?s just this Latin rapper, he?s a reggaeton act, he?s crunk.? They don?t know what to say about me. [After El Mariel] a lot of folks are gonna start saying, ?You gotta watch out for that boy Pit.??

Last year, Pitbull surpassed gold status for more than 500,000 copies sold of his debut album ?M.I.A.M.I.: Money Is A Major Issue? in the United States. The feat gave Pitbull the biggest-selling bilingual hip-hop debut since Cypress Hill?s 1991 self-titled debut, and put him in the rare category of Latino rappers who have achieved major success at English-language radio. Bolstered by such breakthrough singles as ?Culo?, ?Dammit Man?, and ?Toma?, Pitbull?s debut ? as well as its highly-successful successor remix album ?Money Is Still a Major Issue? ? have made Pitbull an unstoppable Latino voice in urban music.

The Miami-based rapper has collaborated with a who?s who of hip-hop and reggaeton artists, including Lil Jon, Ying Yang Twins, Orishas, Daddy Yankee, Twista and Rick Ross. Pitbull?s recent speaking appearance at the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) ?Tres Crossovers? panel nearly stole the show, with Billboard honing in on Pitbull?s self-identification as a successful rapper ?who also happens to be Latin.? Unlike many other Latino rappers, Pitbull has managed to achieve success in the mainstream hip-hop world with bilingual lyrics and potent beats laced with reggaeton. He is equally comfortable sharing the stage at the VIBE Awards with Lil Jon as he is collaborating with Paulina Rubio at the MTV Latin America Awards.

Born to Cuban immigrants, Pitbull was raised by a single mother in Miami. With his mother, who worked three jobs, Pit was frequently relocating as a youth. The constant moving made Pit adapt to any environment and interact with different types of people. His absent father reemerged in his life when Pitbull was 18. Since then until his passing this year, Pit remained on friendly terms with his father. All the while Pit was falling for hip-hop. Through his constant winning verbal warfare, his VIP friendships (Lil Jon and Luke Campbell) Pit signed with TVT and released his gold-selling debut, M.I.A.M.I. (Money Is A Major Issue) in 2004.

Crossing over different cultures is one of Pit?s strong suits. On ?Dime,? his collaboration with Puerto Rican crooner Ken Y, Lil Jon produces his Latin version of Usher?s ?Lovers and Friends.? ?Lengua A Fuera? finds Ying Yang Twins producer, Mr. Collipark, providing Pit with a bass-heavy booty shaker. Still, Pit isn?t satisfied with being a successful artist solely in the U.S. market. Witnessing how reggaeton has exploded with his help, Pit is not one to play the wall. After the release of El Mariel, he will debut his first full-length Spanish only album, Armando, at the top of 2007. But don?t expect the flavor of the month genre to be his backdrop of choice.

?[Armando] is an Afro-Cuban based project. A lot of energy and just a different movement,? says Pitbull. ?Lil Jon, Orishas, the Diaz Brothers, Jim Jonsin, Echo from Puerto Rico and Mr. Collipark are gonna be working on it. I would love for me and Jon to have a number one record on the Latin charts. It would be me bringing him over just like he brought me over to his side.? While his Spanish-language debut is still months away, Pit is concentrating on delivering an educational and entertaining opus with El Mariel. From being a rising underground MC to an internationally known artist, Pit is following in the footsteps of those who came in the infamous 1980 boatlift.

?Some [Marielitos] yes were criminals, some came from a negative background? but you have those who became politicians, lawyers, judges, and doctors, you name it, ? says Pit. ?Now that I got my foot in the door it?s time to take opportunities like the Marielitos did.?

Spoken like a perfect example of an ambassador.

By Jamal Joseph

Ten years after Tupac?s tragic death, Jamal Joseph presents the story of rap artist, political spokesman, poet, actor, writer, humanitarian and entrepreneur Tupac Amaru Shakur

TUPAC SHAKUR LEGACY is far more than just a book. As a unique and special tribute to the memory of Tupac?s irreplaceable genius, becker & mayar and Atria Books have put together a hands-on, interactive, portable museum that?s not just a portrait of the artist, but a knowing, revealing glimpse into the world ? and mind ? of one of hip-hop?s most revered poets.

Jamal Joseph, the author of the book, worked closely with Shakur?s aunt, Gloria Cox, and Molly Monjauze, one of Tupac?s best friends and trusted confident of the Shakur family, are to reveal a personal side to Tupac that?s rarely been seen by the public. Both Cox and Monjauze are story consultants on the book and worked for years to gather Tupac?s never before seen personal articles for inclusion in the book.

?My sister, Afeni Shakur and I feel it?s time to share his personal memorabilia with his ardent fans who are so devoted and are constantly seeking a deeper connection to him. This book gives them a glimpse into Tupac?s life through his eyes, in a different more special way,? says Tupac?s aunt and Afeni Shakur?s sister, Gloria Cox.

Using recovered and removable exact replicas of documents, including everything from a 1984 playbill for a Harlem festival featuring a very young Shakur to the infamous handwritten contract with Death Row Records, TUPAC SHAKUR LEGACY stands alone in revealing the superstar as he saw himself: both supremely confident and supremely vulnerable.

Far from superfluous, the documents (and the audio CD that also accompanies the book) serve as reminders that before he was known as an amazing artist, Tupac was already an extraordinary person.

In stories only known to his closest friends and family, TUPAC SHAKUR LEGACY covers everything, from his early childhood in Harlem, to his quick rise to stardom, through his incarceration and subsequent release, to his last, triumphant years in the eyes of his adoring public,. In this unusual scrapbook, TUPAC SHAKUR LEGACY tells of a singular life, one full of grittiness and heart ? and one imbued, at its core, in honesty and passion.

About the Author: Jamal Joseph is a writer, director, producer, poet, activist and educator who credits his time spent in prison as the inspiration that forged his creativity. Jamal earned two college degrees, wrote five plays and two volumes of poetry while incarcerated. He is currently an associate professor at Columbia University?s Graduate Film Division and the artistic director of the New Heritage Theater in Harlem. Jamal Joseph was also the youngest Black Panther whom Afeni Shakur met when he was only 15 years old when she was the section leader in the Bronx.

Atria Books; Hardcover, 50 b&w illus; 50 color illus; 20 removable features; 60-min. audio CD; $45.00; 0-7432-9260-X; August 29, 2006

Since rapper Tupac was killed a decade ago, his mother, Afeni Shakur, has worked hard to produce the music and poetry her son never got to release.

But Afeni Shakur isn’t just somebody’s mom.

Shakur was one of New York Panther 21, a group of Black Panthers Party members charged with trying to blow up the New York Botanical Gardens in 1971. She successfully defended herself in court, and was released a month before Tupac’s birth.

The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation is proud to announce Afeni Shakur?s upcoming visit to South Africa to deliver her son?s ashes on the 10th anniversary of his death. This momentous trip, from September 10th to the 18th will be an opportunity for Afeni to meet with world icon and former South African president Nelson Mandela. Afeni hopes to develop a relationship between the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. Traveling with her sister, Gloria Cox, and her daughter, Set Shakur, Afeni will tour South Africa and bring Tupac?s ashes to Soweto, South Africa. The Shakur family will also be visiting hospitals or orphanages offering their support.

The significance of Soweto as the birthplace of the South African struggle for democracy and against apartheid makes the area the perfect place for this honor. Afeni was a section leader in the Black Panther Party and her involvement as a leader influenced Tupac immensely. At a very young age, he was aware of the struggles of black youth both in the United States and Africa. Afeni Shakur will be honored for her contribution as an activist for the rights of black people and the oppressed all over. She will be honored for her unselfish gesture in bringing her son to Africa. This touching gesture shows her commitment and belief in the youth of this country and her continued support of their struggles with the AIDS epidemic.

Afeni will also be visiting with South African Kwaito star and actor Zola. The musician and activist will record vocals to be featured along side Snoop Dogg and the late Tupac on a 10th Anniversary CD.

?I feel blessed to be able to visit South Africa, especially Soweto. Events that happened there are so much a part of our history and it will be an honor for my son to rest in this special place; the birthplace of the South African struggle for democracy. Nelson Mandela?s contribution to the people of South Africa has been immeasurable and I look forward to helping with his work all over the country,? says Afeni Shakur.

The return of Tupac Amaru Shakur?s remains to the birthplace of his ancestors will be celebrated in a traditional African ceremony with a praise singer on the 10th anniversary of his death, September 13, 2006. In attendance will be prominent political leaders, the South African government, representatives of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and guests of the Shakur family.