radio vieques - Artists For Media Diversity

- RADIO VIEQUES Raising Voices for Environmental Justice
- RADIO VIEQUES Raising Voices for Environmental Justice
Vieques
is an island municipality of Puerto Rico with a rich history and mix of
indigenous (Taíno), Afro-Caribbean and European cultures. Five centuries of struggle
and resistance describe the island’s social and historic processes – Taínos fought to the
death against the Spanish conquest in the 16th century; hundreds of African Slaves and
free Black workers from nearby Danish and British colonies struggled for freedom and
dignity in nineteenth century sugar haciendas; industrial workers rose up on Vieques
industrial sugar plantations at the beginning of the 20th and the entire community joined
together more recently (1999-2003) to put an end to half century of US Naval bombing. As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the cessation of bombing, however, we
continue to struggle for a complete environmental cleanup and restoration, the return
of our lands, community based socio-economic development and urgently needed health
care. Vieques suffers 30% higher cancer rate compared to the rest of the archipelago, as
well as exaggerated levels of diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases and other ills related
to military toxics. Navy bombing and military experimentation devastated the Eastern
end of the island, littered the sea bed with thousands of unexploded bombs and
poisoned lagoons and other key elements of Vieques natural environment.
The US government refuses to take responsibility for the dramatic damages to Vieques
ecology and its people. The federal courts consistently support the Navy’s claim of
sovereign immunity (the King cannot be taken to court!) and the federal health
department claims there is no relationship between US military actions and Vieques
health crisis. Vieques is simultaneously a wonderful model of unity and action in
defense of human rights and, a horrific example of environmental injustice.
Radio Vieques will be an important tool for current and future efforts toward healing
the island and rebuilding a peaceful economy based upon principles of genuine
sustainability. Our community station will provide the people of Vieques and the other
towns of Eastern Puerto Rico affected by US militarism - Ceiba, Culebra and Naguabo –
a powerful mechanism for education, mobilization and resolution to the many problems
confronting our peoples in this post bombing phase. We need your help……
Listen to the Music of ARTISTS FOR VIEQUES
Willie Nelson & Family, Calle 13, Los Lonely Boys and 15 recordings artists from
Puerto Rico and Austin, Texas support public radio and help build Radio Vieques.
From Vieques we extend a warm embrace of gratitude and
solidarity to artists in Puerto Rico and in the United States who
donated songs for the virtual album, Artists for Vieques - a
project of Artists for Media Diversity - to support the creation of
Radio Vieques WVQR 90.1FM.
Your musical contribution reminds us of the unique dynamic of
mutual inspiration between artists and the struggle for peace
on Vieques that helped us put an end to half century of US
Navy bombing here on May 1st, 2003. Now, as we are about
to celebrate the tenth year anniversary of that great victory,
your artistic solidarity will help us establish Radio Vieques, a key
tool in the continuing struggles for decontamination, return of
our lands and sustainable community development.
Vieques is Puerto Rico! Vieques is Austin!
Robert Rabin Siegal, Director, Radio Vieques
Listen to the music of CALLE 13
"There are two things that slow the development of individuals and
peoples: fear and censorship. The people of Vieques forgot the fear and
many Puerto Ricans came together until they managed to get the U.S.
Navy, after 60 years destroying beaches, marine life, health, the
environment and their land, to stop the bombing of their island. Vieques
is now in the process of recovering and rebuilding. A public radio station
like Radio Vieques (WVQR 90.1 FM) can represent for Vieques, and for
all Puerto Ricans, uncensored voice. If anything has characterized Calle 13
is not letting messages people are silenced by the economic interests of
governments. We must defend freedom of expression and the best way
to promote it is to practice it.”
Listen to the music of REI ORTIZ
"Music is the soul of a people." For this reason, we are those who hear.
There is an immense need for change and nurture the soul music and
meaningful lyrics that transforms the heart.
Listen to the music of MCNATRA Y LADY M
Listen to the music of ZORAIDA SANTIAGO
“Vieques has been an example of struggle and determination for Puerto
Rico and the world. The Island deserves to have a community radio
station as a powerful tool with which to work positively towards the
resolution of their many problems, most of whom are as a result of its
use as a military practice course.”
Listen to the music of ANTONIO CABÁN VALE
Listen to the music of PAVEL URKIZA
“In solidarity with the cause of the people of Vieques, to recover their
lands and waters clean off any danger from pollution, contribute a bit to
the cause of their inhabitants in claiming their rights.”
Listen to the music of WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY
“Willie and the Nelson Family are honored to include our version of "A
Peaceful Solution" on Artists for Media Diversity's Virtual Album. This
song that was born from a dream now has a chance to bring to reality
the dreams of the people of Puerto Rico and her sister island,Vieques.
Music can and will heal the world.”
Listen to the music of CHARANGA CAKEWALK
Listen to the music of LOS BANDIDOS CÓSMICOS
"Los Bandidos Cosmicos are proud to have their song "Antenitas"
included on Artists for Media Diversity's virtual album. Diversity of all
kinds is what we and our song "Antenitas" are all about and we stand
behind the establishment of Radio Vieques."
Listen to the music of TITO AUGER
Listen to the music of MIRIAM PÉREZ
“I grew up listening to public media and I am a strong supporter of it.”
Listen to the music of CHABELA RODRÍGUEZ
Listen to the music of ROY BROWN
Listen to the music of LOS LONELY BOYS
Listen to the music of PATRICIA VONNE
“I support Radio Vieques and their continuing dedication to their struggle
for peace and justice.”
Listen to the music of HACHE
Listen to the music of MIKIE RIVERA
Listen to the music of LUIS RODRÍGUEZ
“Radio Vieques is a project I have known since its beginnings, when I
worked at Taller Ce. I have seen the commitment and effort throughout
all these years, thus creating a voice for many communities. I am very
proud of all their work and of being able to participate in another effort
to make this collective dream grow.”
- RADIO VIEQUES Raising Voices for Environmental Justice
1. Sign up your noncommercial radio station with A4MD and receive broadcast quality
audio of all music tracks on “Artists for Vieques”.
https://a4md.org/radio/
2. Read more about A4MD’s Archive for Music Diversity to find out how your station
can benefit from resources generated from the sale of A4MD’s virtual albums.
https://a4md.org/home/archive-for-music-diversity/
3. Receive an A4MD Internet Referral ID for your station.
This allows A4MD to track sales from people who support your station.
Use your station’s A4MD Referral ID as a link on your station’s website.
4. Invite recording artists and environmentalists onto your airwaves for community
conversations about cultural solutions for mutual sustainability.
5. Contact Robert Rabin for more information about Radio Vieques.
[email protected]
6. Contact Barbara K for more information about Artists for Media Diversity, A4MD.
https://a4md.org/home/contact/
7. Contact Ileana Rivera Santa or Florence Hernandez Ramos for more information
about the Latino Public Radio Consortium, LPRC.
http://www.latinopublicradioconsortium.org/index.php?s=7356
8. Contact Ginny Berson for more information about the National Federation of
Community Broadcasters, NFCB.
http://www.nfcb.org/contact/contact.jsp
COMING SOON:
5 Song Samplers of “Artists for Vieques” pledge drive premiums.
Graphics and jpegs to use on station websites to link to A4MD.