There is every reason for hope.
Project Administrator Ren Powell write@protestpoems.com
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© 2008 Knut Roald Ramstad
POETS WRITING FOR THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH
unedited compilations of voices of protest and solidarity
Some Poems from Recent Protest Compilations
It has happened before: one voice together with one voice and another and another saved a life.
Contribution Guidelines:
Each compilation is faxed by the editors of Babel Fruit to the appropriate diplomats. We appeal to others to do the same. For more information email write@protestpoems.org
Please send your contribution with the title, poem, name, city & state to write@protestpoems.org
No bios will be included.
It is our hope that we will NOT have time to allow us to verify each contribution.
Please check the compilation (generally two days after the deadline) to be sure your voice has been included.
These unedited compilations are serious protest actions - an ode to your ant farm will not be included unless the writer wrote about, lived in or liberated an ant farm.
Please do not comment on the internal politics of any of these countries beyond their non-adherence to Article 19 of the Declaration of Human Rights.
We are championing the human right of freedom of expression, not the opinions of individuals or political groups.
We are not distributing propaganda.
Because the website, postage and fax expenses are paid with private funds, poems which we feel disrespect human rights, belittle cultural groups or advocate racism or violence will be excluded from the compilation. We will, however, provide appropriate fax numbers and contact information for the poet to take action on his or her own initiative.
Regarding Online Publication
Please Note:
The poems presented online here are not considered published by Babel Fruit Online Journal.
If you wish to acknowledge your participation, please help promote the cause by listing your participation credit as ProtestPoems.org
If you wish to withhold all public presentations of your poem, we will use spacers and your name only to indicate your participation.
Current Writing Prompt:
Lapiro de Mbanga
Deadline: Sept. 1st
Lapiro Mbanga, a singer/songwriter from Cameroon, was arrested in Mbanga City on April 9, 2008. The official charge against him, which wasn’t determined until July, is of instigating mass demonstrations that occurred in February.
However, international organizations believe his arrest is directly related to a song he wrote called “Constipated Constitution”. The song lyrics criticize new constitutional amendments, including one of which grants the president immunity for criminal acts committed while in office.
Over one hundred people were arrested in connection with the February riots have been pardoned. Many people died in the February riots and the testimony of some witnesses indicate that Mbanga attempted to save both lives and property. Mbanga remains in prison awaiting a trial, already adjourned once, scheduled to begin at the end of August. If found guilty, Mbanga faces up to two years in prison.
According to PEN’s sources, Mbanga is reportedly being kept in unsanitary conditions and denied medical treatment. He has lost over 20 kilos since his arrest and is suffering from a chest infection.
International human rights organizations are calling for the release of Mbanga.
Freedom of expression is a human right—expression through music and lyrics is powerful. Let’s stand behind Mbanga’s right to sing about governmental ailments, intestinal or otherwise.
Now we have a good excuse to put bathroom humor in our verses!
more information:
Wikipedia: Scroll down to Modifications to the Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon in 2008
Take Prompt Action: Singing for Change - Permission to complain about “Constipated Constitution”
$1 donations are used to help defray administrative expenses only.
We also appreciate volunteers to snail mail protests within their own countries.
Protest Poems. There is every reason for hope.
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There is every reason for hope.
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