Linda began inviting friends and family to dinner and
introducing them to Free Speech TV programs that
she had recorded on her DVR. She found that these
screenings inspired brainstorming on how to work for
social change. As more neighbors have subscribed to
DISH Network, they've started an informal phone tree:
if someone sees a particularly compelling Free Speech
TV program, he or she will call a friend to tune in, and
the cycle repeats itself.
Linda says local conversations have changed since
folks began tuning in to Free Speech TV. She takes
particular pride in the fact that her parents--once
staunch Republicans--are now avid Free Speech TV
fans.
"Medicaid or Iraq: You Decide!" beams off a flyer
for a recent forum in
Gallup, New Mexico that
was organized by
Ken Collins in conjunction
with Free Speech TV and the local ACLU chapter.
You can imagine the lively discussion about
policies that cut "programs to assist the poor,
elderly, and disabled, while the richest Americans
receive tax cuts and (Bush's) war corporation
cronies in the White House feast on government
pork" (from the flyer).
Ken, a self-advocacy coach to people with
disabilities, uses Free Speech TV programs to
foster a community dialog around issues like the
Palestinian/Israeli conflict, the PATRIOT Act, the
war on terrorism, and reproductive rights. His
screenings at the El Moro Theater have attracted over
one hundred attendees and the support of the local
press.
"I think we all need to get more involved in our
community if we are going to improve our society," says
Ken. Thanks to him, and other motivated Free Speech
TV viewers around the country, real grassroots change
is taking root.
There are many other inspirational stories out there,
and we'd like to hear them all. Please email us at
info@freespeech.org to let us know what you are doing
to promote Free Speech TV and social justice in your
community. We welcome suggestions on how Free
Speech TV can support your efforts, and in the months
ahead, we plan to add online tools and resources
for local outreach activities. So, keep visiting www.
freespeech.org to find out how you can join Frances,
Marguerite, Linda, and Ken in building a grassroots
Free Speech TV movement. Thanks for all your efforts!
programming
mission
free speech tv's
programming honors
diversity and provides
a platform for voices
traditionally excluded
from television,
including those of
women, people of
color, indigenous
people, young people,
queer and transexual
individuals and the
poor at home and
abroad.
3
In Ryan for Congress,
follow 29-year old,
local Ohio man, Tim
Ryan, and his novice
campaign staff as
they fight for a seat
in Congress. Without
money, fame, or ex-
perience, the loveable
underdog, Ryan, struggles to gain prestige and popular
support. He takes on the Republicans and the old-guard
Democrats in a no-holds barred fight to the finish. Quick
paced and hilarious, Ryan For Congress depicts the
American political process in an unusually positive light.
Pushing the limits of creative
expression, Free Speech TV is
proud to present a new series
of the wildest, weirdest, and
most innovative independent
shorts ever shown on television--
Monkeywrench Cinema. At the edge
of the art world, filmmakers like
tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE,
Deborah Stratman, David Cox, and Lisa Dillilo have been
creating mind-blowing films previously unavailable to
a national television audience. Whether you love them,
hate them, or can't decide, these cutting-edge films
subvert everything you've ever thought television should
(continued from page 1, Our Heroes...)
take action!
(continued from page 1, Television...)
Imagine your computer with limited access to the Inter-
net. Giant telecom companies are spending millions lob-
bying Congress to eliminate "net
neutrality". Before you let them
take away your internet freedom,
find out the facts and what you
can do.
Visit
action.freespeech.org
to learn more. Don't
let telecom dollars decide how you use the internet. The
Senate is discussing this issue now! Learn more before
it's too late.
