I find myself now remembering above everything else his tireless work for nonviolence & Tibet, of course, but also his amazing sense of humor. Those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him have likely never worked so hard nor laughed so much as we did when we were in his presence.

Yauch also changed what it meant to be an artist-activist. I admit that when I met him, I was skeptical of him and his interest in my work (I was a human rights activist studying & living with Tibetans in Nepal; he was the ... Read More »]]> It is an understatement to say that Adam Yauch changed all of our lives because he changed us so completely–through his music, his activism, and his friendship. Because his presence in our lives was so large, so shall be his absence. And also his legacy.

I find myself now remembering above everything else his tireless work for nonviolence & Tibet, of course, but also his amazing sense of humor. Those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him have likely never worked so hard nor laughed so much as we did when we were in his presence.

Yauch also changed what it meant to be an artist-activist. I admit that when I met him, I was skeptical of him and his interest in my work (I was a human rights activist studying & living with Tibetans in Nepal; he was the guy that sang “Fight For Your Right to Party”). But I quickly realized that he was an artist and an activist in the deepest sense of the words.

In the years that followed, he didn’t just produce and perform at our concerts for Tibet. He also went to conferences and organized workshops. He was deeply strategic–most of the time–always passionate, and always welcoming. He believed in our team of inexperienced but determined 20-somethings, and our ability to do the impossible. And with that belief in us and in nonviolence, together we DID do the impossible. Never before has more fun been had while changing the world!!

Yauch’s work for Tibet helped jumpstart and nurture an international youth movement for Tibet and nonviolence–the best example of which can be found in Students for a Free Tibet, our sister organization and partner during all of the Tibetan Freedom Concerts. That this organization and movement is stronger today than when the last Concert ended is a testament to Yauch’s vision, leadership, and belief in young people.

As sad as we all are at his passing, it seems to me that the best way to honor him is to continue his work.

To all of the people who worked on, came to, or were moved by the Tibetan Freedom Concerts, let’s keep up the work that we started there and remember his words:

“i know we can fix it and its not too late
I give respect to King and his nonviolent ways

I dream and i hope and i won’t forget
Someday i’m gonna visit on a free Tibet
Someday I’m gonna see us all joined as one”

And let’s send lots of love, prayers, and laughter to Dechen, Losel, his parents, and the whole Beastie Boys family. We are thinking of you all!!

xo, erin

The band, Portugal.The Man, provides the soundtrack for the video, and A LOT of friends from the music community contributed to the effort including: Dr. John, Ani Difranco, Stanton Moore and many more. Check out the video below and help GRN commemorate the two year memorial of this historic disaster by sharing the video and action page with your fans & friends. Sample social media language can be found below.

Suggested Twitter message:

This week marks 2 yrs since the BP oil disaster. Support the ... Read More »]]> This week marks the 2-year memorial of the BP drilling disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Our friends and colleagues at Gulf Restoration Network (GRN), a New Orleans based environmental organization, have launched a PSA campaign that includes video footage from last fall’s Voodoo Music Fest and provides an update on where the Gulf is today.

The band, Portugal.The Man, provides the soundtrack for the video, and A LOT of friends from the music community contributed to the effort including: Dr. John, Ani Difranco, Stanton Moore and many more. Check out the video below and help GRN commemorate the two year memorial of this historic disaster by sharing the video and action page with your fans & friends. Sample social media language can be found below.

Suggested Twitter message:

This week marks 2 yrs since the BP oil disaster. Support the Gulf w/@healthygulf @akadrjohn @anidifranco & more http://bit.ly/J7MtKv

Suggested Facebook message:

Two years later & the Gulf still needs help recovering from the BP drilling disaster.  Check out this video & add your voice in support. http://bit.ly/J7MtKv

More info and in-depth updates on the ongoing situation can be found here: http://healthygulf.org/blog

The status of women’s rights in America is discouragingly similar to what is happening in other countries. In 2011, the rights of women in America continued its decade long decline after facing attacks on everything from access to health care to equal pay. Unfortunately, 2012 has brought more of the same as conservative pundits and lawmakers push to eliminate laws protecting battered women, outlaw birth control coverage, and gut public funding for public health organizations that are affiliated with abortion ... Read More »]]> “They want to control how we dress, they want to control how we act, they even want to control the decisions we make about our own health and bodies.” – Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton at the Women in the World Summit, on how women are inexplicably the focus of attacks from “extremists” around the world.

The status of women’s rights in America is discouragingly similar to what is happening in other countries. In 2011, the rights of women in America continued its decade long decline after facing attacks on everything from access to health care to equal pay. Unfortunately, 2012 has brought more of the same as conservative pundits and lawmakers push to eliminate laws protecting battered women, outlaw birth control coverage, and gut public funding for public health organizations that are affiliated with abortion clinics (such as Planned Parenthood).

US legislation against access to birth control has been on the rise since 1995 and the number of states that are “hostile” to abortion rights has more than doubled in the past decade. Much of the language in these bills across states is similar, indicating that this is a coordinated effort.

In February of 2012 came the Komen Foundation’s politicized decision to de-fund its support for Planned Parenthood’s cancer screening because of their policy to provide abortions. (Komen eventually apologized and re-instated the funding). In the midst of all of this, Congress called special hearings on access to birth control. And, invited all men to speak on it.

The need for action to protect and expand the rights of women is impetrative.  While the upcoming election is vital to the outcomes of many of these attacks, much should be—and can be—done in the months until then, and musicians have a unique platform from which to help. Here are some recent examples of the ways that musicians are speaking out on the behalf of women’s rights:

• After Rush Limbaugh called birth control advocate Sandra Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute,” several musicians whose music had been used on Limbaugh’s program took to the media to voice their concerns. Tom Morello tweeted, “Hey Jackass, stop using our music on your racist, misogynist, right wing clown show.” Peter Gabriel and Rush also spoke out, issuing cease and desist letters to the show, stating Limbaugh had used their material without their permission. Musicians who find their music being used by individuals or groups they disagree with are put in a unique and powerful position where they are able to voice their disapproval and bring national attention to an issue they care about in a natural and very visible way.
• When Susan G Komen for the Cure announced they were not planning on re-granting their annual $600k grant to Planned Parenthood, the Decembrists, who have been actively fundraising for breast cancer since band member Jenny Conlee struggled with her own bout of breast cancer last year, quickly changed the beneficiary of their Team Jenny fundraiser from Komen to directly fund Planned Parenthood’s Breast Health Emergency Fund. A move that speaks to the importance of vetting the organizations artists work with (ATC can help) and often looking for ways to give money to a direct service provider instead.
• Other artists took to their social media accounts after the Komen decision: The Mountain Goats warned their Twitter followers that “Pro-choice musicians, know that Komen for the Cure is now on the side of the bad guys.”
• Betheny Consentino of Best Coast has been working over the last year to bring awareness to the issues Planned Parenthood is facing, putting together a benefit show in NYC last summer for Planned Parenthood of New York City Action Fund, encouraging a crowd in Texas to donate via text message and to, “Keep your rights as Texas women!” and taking to her Facebook page with support after Komen pulled funding for Planned Parenthood.

What Musicians (you!) Can Do:

• Talk about the issue. Use whatever methods you are comfortable with (public appearances, interviews, shows, social media) to call attention to aspects of this issue that speak to you. If a group or organization you oppose uses one of your songs, don’t back down!  Use it as an opportunity to voice your opposition, and to hold them accountable. Our recent blog post on this topic can help.

• If you’re touring, pay attention to local aspects of the War on Women. For instance, Wisconsin is passing some of the worst laws for women. If you are going there, speak out on it.  ATC can help you understand the geography of these laws and also help you partner with local organizations.
• Register your fans to vote. You can do this in many ways: remind people to register at your shows, on your website or via social media, team up with voter registration organizations for voter reg at your shows (but be sure to mention their presence from the stage) or produce content encouraging voter registration to put in your fan newsletters. More about voter registration issues (voter ID laws, voter intimidation, etc.) dates, deadlines and strategy can be found on ATC’s Election page.
• Stay in touch. Join our network and follow ATC on Twitter for access to social media-ready “calls to action,” highlighting events or organizations you can share with your followers and fans.
• Contact us. We can help you put you in touch with effective local or national organizations, help set up a ticket add-on campaign to raise money for this issue, help you produce “calls to action” and other social media content to distribute, and help you think through any other ideas you may have.

Artists have asked how to support these efforts. Below are a few quick actions to help spread the word to your networks (today 3/8 and tomorrow 3/9). Please post/tweet/facebook and help bring a spotlight to this important event.

Suggested Text For Twitter/Email/Facebook/Websites:

>> 47 years later, thousands march again from Selma to Montgomery for voting + immigrant rights. Take action: http://bit.ly/xC5zjg #Selma2012

>> Today, thousands marching in AL united for voting rights + immigrant rights. Details and photos here: http://on.fb.me/ySOd8y #Selma2012

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More on the march: