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Pirates of Propaganda Mission Accomplished: Media in Action!
The People’s Revolutionary Organization (PRO), based out of Petaluma, CA, presents PIRATES OF PROGANDA, a day of workshops about youth radio, stencil and graffiti art, writing and self-publishing using Indybay.org
July 23, 2006
Santa Rosa, CA
The People’s Revolutionary Organization (PRO), based out of Petaluma, CA is a group of youth working towards creating solidarity, bringing like-minded people together and engaging the community. The PRO directs the multi-faceted political communities of Sonoma County towards militant direct action.
The group successfully put on 30 days of action in July. By putting on events and workshops all month, the PRO wanted to show other groups and activists that activism is, “Essentially about doing stuff,” said Ben Saari, “and taking initiative. This month is about showing that single issue politics can be connected, even within a small group of people.”
On July 23, 2006 about 15 people gathered at Free Mind Media Info Shop (FMM)in Santa Rosa, CA to show people that media is accessible and that people don’t have to watch- they can have access to the means of making their voices heard.
The afternoon started with Tatiana Harrison and Claudia Villa from the Voice of Youth Radio Program. Voice of Youth works with community schools in Sonoma County to empower youth to use radio as a tool to tell their stories.
“The thing that stood out the most, is having grassroots journalists going to the people in their own communities and showing interest in the opressions they face on a day to day basis, so they know people care and are watching, and are considering better forms of rehabilitation. It’s creating a dialog with those people,” said Ben Mackey of Santa Rosa, who works next door to FMM.
Claudia, who produced an eight-minute piece about her recent high school graduation, pointed out four key elements to producing a piece of audio journalism. She explained that first, you need to record all kinds of sounds, like talking, starting a car, whatever you can. Second, you need to have a point of view, and see how it changes from before the event to during the event, to after. Third, you need to structure you story and have ideas while recording, and finally, you need to have an ‘audio diary’ and record all of your thoughts and feelings about the topic.
To edit the piece, Tatiana recommended purchasing a Mini-Disc, or Flash Sound Recorded, recorder on Ebay and then using computer software with multiple tracks and non-linear editing to put together a high quality, rich sounding recording.
Next, Emily Cole and Ryan Saari spoke about stencil art and graffiti. They explained techniques for making your own stencil. Strong, black and white images work best for stencils, and using images instead of words makes sure that your message crosses language barriers. To “get up,” they recommended going out in groups when stenciling and having a lookout. To appear as if your messages are everywhere, focus on sidewalks in high-traffic areas, and diversify your campaign with stickers and posters as well. For best results, go out on Sunday nights- when fewest pedestrians are out, especially before 1:00 a.m. and after 3:00 a.m. Wear an orange safety vest and hard hat and you won’t be suspected.
Then, people gathered to make their own stencils, using manila folders and X-acto knives.
“My stencil was a TV with the slogan, ‘I own you,” said Kylee Cronin, a PRO member from Petaluma. “It’s talks about how everybody is obsessed with TV, especially the kind of comedy that’s sexist or racist. I want people to think about everything else they could be doing while they’re watching TV when they see my stencil.”
To end the day, Fault Lines Editorial Collective member Katrina Malachowski lead the group in writing about the days events, and how to post articles to Indybay.org.
Reflecting on the day, “More people turned out than we had planned, and they seemed really down with the street art and graffiti workshop,” said Karin Adams, one of the day’s organizers. “Often conferences go on, and people leave without anything to do the next day,” she said. “Here, people actually did things and made media and were able to take things home with them.”
By 5:00 p.m., the sweaty group felt successful. People were able to take home stencils, paint, ideas, and see a news article about their efforts on line by the time they had left.
Thanks to everybody who came and participated!
For more info:
Free Mind Media- 546 Pacific Ave., Santa Rosa, CA. 95404
http://www.FreeMindMedia.org
707.579.1605
People’s Revolutionary Organization:
PROsonoma [at] yahoo.com
Voice of Youth Radio:
Contact: Tatiana Harrision
Tatiana_Harrison [at] krcb.com
Graffiti Resources:
http://www.notMyGovernment.com
http://www.stencilrevolution.com
http://www.12oz.com
Santa Rosa, CA
The People’s Revolutionary Organization (PRO), based out of Petaluma, CA is a group of youth working towards creating solidarity, bringing like-minded people together and engaging the community. The PRO directs the multi-faceted political communities of Sonoma County towards militant direct action.
The group successfully put on 30 days of action in July. By putting on events and workshops all month, the PRO wanted to show other groups and activists that activism is, “Essentially about doing stuff,” said Ben Saari, “and taking initiative. This month is about showing that single issue politics can be connected, even within a small group of people.”
On July 23, 2006 about 15 people gathered at Free Mind Media Info Shop (FMM)in Santa Rosa, CA to show people that media is accessible and that people don’t have to watch- they can have access to the means of making their voices heard.
The afternoon started with Tatiana Harrison and Claudia Villa from the Voice of Youth Radio Program. Voice of Youth works with community schools in Sonoma County to empower youth to use radio as a tool to tell their stories.
“The thing that stood out the most, is having grassroots journalists going to the people in their own communities and showing interest in the opressions they face on a day to day basis, so they know people care and are watching, and are considering better forms of rehabilitation. It’s creating a dialog with those people,” said Ben Mackey of Santa Rosa, who works next door to FMM.
Claudia, who produced an eight-minute piece about her recent high school graduation, pointed out four key elements to producing a piece of audio journalism. She explained that first, you need to record all kinds of sounds, like talking, starting a car, whatever you can. Second, you need to have a point of view, and see how it changes from before the event to during the event, to after. Third, you need to structure you story and have ideas while recording, and finally, you need to have an ‘audio diary’ and record all of your thoughts and feelings about the topic.
To edit the piece, Tatiana recommended purchasing a Mini-Disc, or Flash Sound Recorded, recorder on Ebay and then using computer software with multiple tracks and non-linear editing to put together a high quality, rich sounding recording.
Next, Emily Cole and Ryan Saari spoke about stencil art and graffiti. They explained techniques for making your own stencil. Strong, black and white images work best for stencils, and using images instead of words makes sure that your message crosses language barriers. To “get up,” they recommended going out in groups when stenciling and having a lookout. To appear as if your messages are everywhere, focus on sidewalks in high-traffic areas, and diversify your campaign with stickers and posters as well. For best results, go out on Sunday nights- when fewest pedestrians are out, especially before 1:00 a.m. and after 3:00 a.m. Wear an orange safety vest and hard hat and you won’t be suspected.
Then, people gathered to make their own stencils, using manila folders and X-acto knives.
“My stencil was a TV with the slogan, ‘I own you,” said Kylee Cronin, a PRO member from Petaluma. “It’s talks about how everybody is obsessed with TV, especially the kind of comedy that’s sexist or racist. I want people to think about everything else they could be doing while they’re watching TV when they see my stencil.”
To end the day, Fault Lines Editorial Collective member Katrina Malachowski lead the group in writing about the days events, and how to post articles to Indybay.org.
Reflecting on the day, “More people turned out than we had planned, and they seemed really down with the street art and graffiti workshop,” said Karin Adams, one of the day’s organizers. “Often conferences go on, and people leave without anything to do the next day,” she said. “Here, people actually did things and made media and were able to take things home with them.”
By 5:00 p.m., the sweaty group felt successful. People were able to take home stencils, paint, ideas, and see a news article about their efforts on line by the time they had left.
Thanks to everybody who came and participated!
For more info:
Free Mind Media- 546 Pacific Ave., Santa Rosa, CA. 95404
http://www.FreeMindMedia.org
707.579.1605
People’s Revolutionary Organization:
PROsonoma [at] yahoo.com
Voice of Youth Radio:
Contact: Tatiana Harrision
Tatiana_Harrison [at] krcb.com
Graffiti Resources:
http://www.notMyGovernment.com
http://www.stencilrevolution.com
http://www.12oz.com
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Tatiana Harrison from Voice of Youth Radio speaking at "Pirates of Propaganda."
Workshop attendees practiced spray painting thier freshly cut stencils in the 100+ degree heat.
Tatiana spoke about the Voice of Youth Radio program in Sonoma County.
Sorry I couldn't be there for this event, had to do the cooking thing. It looks like it was a great success! Thanx for all that you do!
The Peoples Revolutionary Organization (PRO) have been attacked by the Argus-Courier. PRO is responsible for the Petaluma Food Not Bombs which happens every Monday at 10am at the corner of Howard and Washington, a popular gathering place for day laborers. PRO also organized 31 days of consecutive political and social actions in July. These are the kind of youth we should hold up as positive examples, that the Argus-Courier has decided to cynically attack them is shameful and reminiscent of COINTELPRO. Undoubtablely this editorial will be used as an excuse by law enforcement to surveil and harass members of PRO and their friends. I encourage anyone outraged by this editorial to write to the Argus-Courier at these e-mail addresses:
csamson [at] arguscourier.com (letters to the editor, Managing Editor News: Chris Samson)
jburns [at] arguscourier.com (Publisher: John Burns)
You can also call Chris Samson directly at 776-8458
a full list of contact information is available here: http://www1.arguscourier.com/static/contact.html
and now the main event from: http://www1.arguscourier.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060823/OPINION01/60822029
Vandals’ motives include hate, political animosity
Police, community members must act together to control problem
Published: Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006
Since summer debuted in Petaluma two months ago, the community has been gripped by an increase in vandalism often described as senseless. Residents and business owners scratch their heads wondering why anyone would maliciously destroy others’ property with no apparent provocation. It just doesn’t make any sense.
Now, it seems, we’ve learned that at least some of the vandalism that’s occurred in Petaluma this summer was far more directed, and less random, than previously thought. Some of Petaluma’s vandalism apparently has its roots in prejudice, hatred and political animosity.
The 16-year-old boy who was arrested last week for smashing five historic stained glass windows and tossing a crudely made fire bomb into St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on June 13 apparently did so because he hates the church, according to police.
Though equally lamentable, this is quite a different situation than the angry drunk who knocked over planters, ripped out plants and turned over garbage cans in the downtown area the same week in June. One was thoughtless destruction, the other a specific and premeditated act intended to hurt a single institution and the people associated with it.
And it may be a similar kind of hatred, or twisted political animus, that led some people to go on a graffiti rampage one Sunday night at the end of July by spray painting anti-capitalism slogans on several homes, vehicles and personal property in two separate Petaluma neighborhoods.
The people responsible for the mess probably thought they were striking back at “the man,” but instead they wound up destroying property belonging to 12 innocent Petaluma families.
It may be a coincidence, but it was only one week earlier that the Petaluma-based People’s Revolutionary Organization presented “Pirates of Propaganda,” a workshop in which people were given pointers on political graffiti. Organizers advised would-be taggers to go out “in groups,” have a “lookout” and, “For best results, go out on Sunday nights — when fewest pedestrians are out, especially before 1 a.m. and after 3 a.m. Wear an orange safety vest and hard hat and you won’t be suspected.”
We don’t know whether any of the young people associated with the anarchist-leaning PRO participated in the graffiti rampage at the end of July, but we do know that those responsible committed crimes against others and need to be brought to justice. Rather than make a political statement, these people set out to destroy other people’s property. With the myriad of legitimate ways for people of all ages to effectively express themselves in person, electronically or in print, committing vandalism can hardly be justified under any circumstance. Nor can it be confused with legitimate forms of civil disobedience.
No matter what the motive, vandalism is an assault not only on property owners, but on all of us who strive to make this community a peaceful and just place to call home.
We applaud the Petaluma Police for taking effective steps to stop vandalism in Petaluma this summer, and continue to encourage those who witness acts of vandalism to report them immediately. The problem will only continue if we do nothing to stop it.
csamson [at] arguscourier.com (letters to the editor, Managing Editor News: Chris Samson)
jburns [at] arguscourier.com (Publisher: John Burns)
You can also call Chris Samson directly at 776-8458
a full list of contact information is available here: http://www1.arguscourier.com/static/contact.html
and now the main event from: http://www1.arguscourier.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060823/OPINION01/60822029
Vandals’ motives include hate, political animosity
Police, community members must act together to control problem
Published: Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006
Since summer debuted in Petaluma two months ago, the community has been gripped by an increase in vandalism often described as senseless. Residents and business owners scratch their heads wondering why anyone would maliciously destroy others’ property with no apparent provocation. It just doesn’t make any sense.
Now, it seems, we’ve learned that at least some of the vandalism that’s occurred in Petaluma this summer was far more directed, and less random, than previously thought. Some of Petaluma’s vandalism apparently has its roots in prejudice, hatred and political animosity.
The 16-year-old boy who was arrested last week for smashing five historic stained glass windows and tossing a crudely made fire bomb into St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on June 13 apparently did so because he hates the church, according to police.
Though equally lamentable, this is quite a different situation than the angry drunk who knocked over planters, ripped out plants and turned over garbage cans in the downtown area the same week in June. One was thoughtless destruction, the other a specific and premeditated act intended to hurt a single institution and the people associated with it.
And it may be a similar kind of hatred, or twisted political animus, that led some people to go on a graffiti rampage one Sunday night at the end of July by spray painting anti-capitalism slogans on several homes, vehicles and personal property in two separate Petaluma neighborhoods.
The people responsible for the mess probably thought they were striking back at “the man,” but instead they wound up destroying property belonging to 12 innocent Petaluma families.
It may be a coincidence, but it was only one week earlier that the Petaluma-based People’s Revolutionary Organization presented “Pirates of Propaganda,” a workshop in which people were given pointers on political graffiti. Organizers advised would-be taggers to go out “in groups,” have a “lookout” and, “For best results, go out on Sunday nights — when fewest pedestrians are out, especially before 1 a.m. and after 3 a.m. Wear an orange safety vest and hard hat and you won’t be suspected.”
We don’t know whether any of the young people associated with the anarchist-leaning PRO participated in the graffiti rampage at the end of July, but we do know that those responsible committed crimes against others and need to be brought to justice. Rather than make a political statement, these people set out to destroy other people’s property. With the myriad of legitimate ways for people of all ages to effectively express themselves in person, electronically or in print, committing vandalism can hardly be justified under any circumstance. Nor can it be confused with legitimate forms of civil disobedience.
No matter what the motive, vandalism is an assault not only on property owners, but on all of us who strive to make this community a peaceful and just place to call home.
We applaud the Petaluma Police for taking effective steps to stop vandalism in Petaluma this summer, and continue to encourage those who witness acts of vandalism to report them immediately. The problem will only continue if we do nothing to stop it.
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