'Virtual Jihadi' lawsuit settled
Our civil rights case against the City of Troy and former Public Works Commissioner Robert Mirch for shutting down Iraqi-American artist Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi" anti-war installation in 2008 has been settled. Details will be released shortly, after final approval of the agreement by the Troy City Council.
The lawsuit, brought on our behalf by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Albany law firm of O'Connell and Aronowitz, was three days from a trial by jury in Federal court.
Hudson Mohawk Indymedia produced a definitive account of the whirlwind of events surrounding Wafaa Bilal's controversial art exhibit:
"Art ≠ Terrorism" goes beyond the sound bites to find out what happened when an Iraqi artist came to Troy, NY only to be censored--not once, but twice.
First, Wafaa Bilal's exhibit was shuttered by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute after his anti-war artwork was attacked by Campus Republicans.
When the work was given refuge by The Sanctuary for Independent Media, the City of Troy responded by closing us down. A massive outpouring of community support enabled us to re-open six weeks later.
Thanks for making our Fall 2011 season a success!
The Fall 2011 season at The Sanctuary for Independent Media began on October 6 and ran through December 3 with the theme Cultures of Resistance, featuring an adventurous slate of events ranging from speakers to films to music and more.
Highlights included a talk by ACLU president Susan N. Herman on a decade of eroding civil liberties under the Patriot Act, the Capital Region debut of Afropop sensation Sidi Touré and friends, an all-day indoor/outdoor family celebration of art and community action as part of the MOHU Festival, and a compelling look at the first 30 years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic featuring activist filmmaker Jean Carlomusto. As usual, admission to most events was by donation ($10 suggested, $5 student/low income).
The Sanctuary for Independent Media is located at 3361 6th Avenue (at 101st Street) in North Troy. Call (518) 272-2390, email info@MediaSanctuary.org, or visit www.MediaSanctuary.org for directions and more information.
It's An Uptown Summer!
Check out these videos about Uptown Summer, a collaboration between Troy Bike Rescue, Collard City Growers, Missing Link Street Ministry and Youth Media Sanctuary!
Introducing Freedom Square!
A coalition of local community groups launched Freedom Square–just up the block from the Sanctuary–with a free outdoor live music event on Saturday, July 2nd. Headlined by a 10-piece Boston-based Ethiopian-influenced jazz and soul group, the Debo Band, the lineup also included rock, hip hop and gospel performances by local groups including Sumac, S.K.A.T.E., and the Missing Link Street Ministry Men's Choir.
Freedom Square is an urban cultural and spiritual oasis located at the mystical corner where 5th and 6th Avenues meet 101st Street a block from the Hudson River in North Troy, NY. Map it!
We celebrated with an afternoon of great music as well as a free bike clinic, community barbecue, info tables, and more, to launch Freedom Square!
Exposing a War Crime is Not a Crime...
More than a million and a half people around the world have watched the Sanctuary TV production "WikiLeaks' Collateral Murder: U.S. Soldier Ethan McCord's Eyewitness Story," based on the material allegedly released by Pfc Bradley Manning, now imprisoned at Quantico. Our video also can be seen at the WikiLeaks "Collateral Murder" and Bradley Manning Support Network websites.
Volunteer Opportunities Abound!
Volunteers are the brains and heart that make the Sanctuary a thriving and vibrant community media and arts center. They help to staff events, shoot video, plan events, build the community, build our space, and keep the place nice.
Whether you come with a specific expertise, a new skill you'd like to learn, or just an interest in being a part of the Sanctuary, we welcome your help.
Some of the volunteer projects we need help with:
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