“Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Nothing Is More Precious Than…derives from a quotation of Ho
Chi Minh—“Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom,” and reflects
one of the main anti-imperialist messages of this news program. The program was
produced, from 1973–1976, by Claude Marks and Nancy Barrett, was
one-hour-long, and ran weekly on Saturday evenings on
KPFA-FM. A number of other producers contributed to the program, notably Mark
Schwartz, who did consistent and excellent reportage on the
rising prison movement. The content includes extensive coverage of Indochina,
reports from Havana by Lincoln Bergman from 1973-4, in-depth coverage of the fascist
coup in Chile, of the American Indian and Black liberation movements, defense
of political prisoners, women’s and gay/lesbian liberation, Puerto Rico,
Southern Africa, and a wide diversity of struggles and events in the Bay Area
and nationwide, along with music and poetry reflective of the times.
Documents
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Union of Vietnamese Report: focus on political prisoners and failures of the Saigon government. Lolita Lebron song and report on Puerto Rican independence, message from Lolita Lebron read by Nina Serrano. Puerto Rican nationalist Carlos Feliciano sentenced. Mark Schwartz report on prisoner strike at Folsom and trial of San Quentin 6, Hugo Pinell motion for dismissal of charges, Schwartz is refused permission to interview them, as he is a “freelancer.” Karl Armstrong case, pled guilty to reduced charges of second degree murder for 23 years—actuality of William Kunstler. Chicago contempt retrial. Popeye Jackson of United Prisoners Union to go to trial, report by Frances Emley. Rosemary McFadden sentenced.
Nothing is More Precious Than
First program after KPFA strike. Opens with Ho Chi Minh speaking in English, roundup of news from Vietnam, Inez Garcia case with actuality of her speaking, prison movement with George Jackson actuality, Latin America, Puerto Rico, and Africa, with actuality of Amilcar Cabral.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Programs opens with report on five explosions at banks in Manhattan and communique from FALN (Armed Forces of Puerto Rican Nationa Liberation) then the entire remainder of program is extended report on the Boston busing integration struggles, with much actuality and reporting from Boston by Dave Lampell of WLIB New York.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Opening stories on Puerto Rico strike and bombings, followed by Chile women political prisoners, Argentina, and the killing of Lucio Cabanas, Guerrero state guerrilla leader in Mexico. then stories on Attica and a 5th anniversary feature with poem and music on the assassination of Black Panther Chicago leader Fred Hampton.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Program focuses on several major stories: start of the San Quentin 6 trial, start of Joanne Little trial in North Carolina with actuality, taped message from underground of Abby Hoffman, and stories on Latin America and American Indian Movement.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Major focus on anniversary of the death of Che Guevara, including Che speaking to the UN. San Quentin 6 report, clashes in northern Argentina, and major speech on Puerto Rico by Alfredo Lopez, head of Puerto Rico Solidarity Committee in US.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Opens with wide swathe of international news, starting with Franco close to death in Spain, then Africa, Asia, Latin America, Puerto Rico. Then stories on San Quentin 6, prison song by Camomile, South Dakota American Indian Movement and New York City demonstration against closing of senior centers.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Theme of program is recurrent "that's just a lie" from Holly Near No More Genocide song, and a mix from Grain of Sand group. Includes stories poems on Native American struggle, poem from Weather Underground dedicated to Assata Shakur, African leader Amilcar Cabral speaking about connection between Africa and Afro-America, and a section on Cuba/Puerto Rico.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
First program of 1975, opens with poem and New Year's statement from the Black Liberation Army, reports on San Quentin 6, Ruchell Magee, Willie Tate; report on Menominee Indian occupation of Wisconsin estate; Vietnam, and series of reports on Puerto Rico and sterilization of women in Puerto Rico.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Program produced for rebroadcast-an extended report on the Boston busing-integration struggles, with much actuality and reporting from Boston by Dave Lampel of WLIB New York.