“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
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
Updates on a number of trials, including NY 5, Tombs attempted escape, California prisons, women's section of program.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Program includes communiques on armed actions, including a robbery of a savings and loan in Berkeley (claimed by New World Liberation Front and Black Liberation Army) and bombing of the California attorney's general office by Weather Underground. Also actuality of Ruchell Magee and report on San Quentin.