“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
First half of program updates prison movement, a women’s union conference in San Francisco, prison movement, AIM, and SLA. The second half of the program featured the second half of “The Incredible Rocky.”
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
Reading of SLA communiqué on assassination of Oakland School superintendent Marcus Foster. Mark Schwartz report on San Quentin 6, Black Liberation Army, the New York 5, Marilyn Buck and Rosemary McFadden, actuality of Bernice Jones speaking about the BLA—Bill Schechner on Popeye Jackson of United Prisoners Union and a police informant. Andy Truskier on Chicago conspiracy case. Ramsay Clark, Roy Wilkins call for renewed investigation of Fred Hampton/Mark Clark murders. Donald Hickerson case—ruled he could not be fired from Department of Agriculture for being gay. Protest against Casper Weinberger by Medical Committee for Human Rights. Marc Cooper in Beirut on Palestinian movement, amidst attempts by Kissinger for Mideast peace. Chile, junta attempts to gain recognition internationally, demonstration planned against junta representatives. Union of Vietnamese report. Discusses violations of the Paris peace agreement, refusal of Saigon to recognize Provisional Revolutionary government (PRG). Con Son prison island. Reading of letter from Howie Machtinger of Weather Underground explaining why he went back underground after capture in NY, then not appearing for trial.
Nothing is More Precious Than
Roundup of week's events, including Greek coup, Chilean repression, Union of Vietnamese statement with poetry, San Quentin 6, Ruchell Magee, Black Liberation Army on the shooting of Twymon Ford Myers, and reports on other political cases.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
World and national news roundup, with reports from Cuba in The Voice of Vietnam, Tom Hayden on end of Chicago conspiracy, Bruce Solloway on Assata Shakur and Fred Hilton, first report on COINTELPRO, Voice of Vietnam from Cuba
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Lincoln Bergman report from Havana, annual ceremony of throwing flowers into the sea in memory of Camilo Cienfuegos. Continuing fascist repression in Chile, mobilization of resistance forces beginning. Report on an interview with Miguel Enriques, leader of the MIR—“those who make only half a revolution, dig their own graves.” Roundup of revolutionary activities throughout Latin America—Uruguay (the Tupamaros)—Argentina—Brazilian military maneuvers, guerrillas seize police station—Peru seeks nationalization of US Cerro de Pasco corporation—Latin American energy ministers meet (Venezuela considers nationalization)—wave of kidnappings in Mexico, reactionary violence in Mexico—USIA paid to stop the showing of Sacco and Vanzetti film in Mexico. Panama, Torrijos—United Fruit/Xerox/Chase Manhattan cultural penetrations. Massive student strikes in Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus shut down, amidst intensified campaign to free the nationalist Puerto Rican political prisoners—strikes in Colombia, offensive against guerrillas failing—reports on the horrible blood business in many Latin American countries.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Roundup of national news, especially Black Liberation Army trials, San Quentin 6, Wounded Knee Grand Jury, GI movement, Indochina, and interview with head of Voice of Vietnam in Cuba
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Political prisoner and prison movement stories, including Black Liberation Army-related trials, lockdown at several California prisons, hunger strike at San Quentin Adjustment Center.
Nothing is More Precious Than
Latin American news roundup, Chile, Argentina, Peru; report on Assata Shakur upcoming trial, report on Wounded Knee and related Native American news.