“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
Date: 11/6/1973Call Number: NI 005 R1Format: Reel 1Producers: Claude Marks, Nancy BarrettProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
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
Date: 9/21/1974Call Number: NI 039Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Claude Marks, Nancy BarrettProgram: Nothing is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Roundup of movement news, including demonstration in San Francisco about Chile, acquittal of Dennis Banks and Russell Means, reports on Assata Shakur, Marilyn Buck, Puerto Rico solidarity.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 10/19/1974Call Number: NI 043Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Claude Marks, Nancy Barrett, Mark SchwartzProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Program opens with story on Carmen Castillo, captured Chilean resistance fighter, then story on "Operation Tar Baby," the US govt program to prop up apartheid in Africa, Chicano Liberation Front actions, San Quentin 6, and then a special extended program on Puerto Rico and upcoming solidarity events on Oct 27, 1974.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 11/9/1974Call Number: NI 045Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Claude Marks, Mark SchwartzProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Story on Ruchell Magee and the right to rebel, Chilean revolutionary Carmen Castillo, state of siege in Argentina. Report on California Insitute for Women prison repression and protest, Attica, and Los Tres del Barrio, Los Angeles anti-drug community activists arrested and San Francisco rally in their support.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 6/21/1975Call Number: NI 073Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Nancy Barrett, Lincoln Bergman, Claude MarksProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Program has three main sections: 1) prison rebellion and prisoners, with reports on Popeye Jackson/Black Guerrilla Family, Martin Sostre, Russell Little and Joe Remiro; 2) American Indian Movement statement at International Convention; and 3) Speech in Oakland by Juan Mariu Bras, General Secretary of Puerto Rican Socialist Party.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 8/9/1975Call Number: NI 076Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Lincoln Bergman, Claude Marks, with Mark Schwartz, Kathy Streem, Tarabu BetseraiProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Major focus of program. with much actuality and music, is the 5th anniversary of the Marin County Courthouse rebellion (8/7/1970). Other stories on San Quentin 6, Joanne Little trials, Northern Ireland.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 10/11/1975Call Number: NI 083Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Lincoln Bergman, Claude Marks, Mark SchwartzProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
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
Date: 11/1/1975Call Number: NI 086Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Lincoln Bergman, Claude Marks, Nancy Barrett, Nina SerranoProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Program is dedicated to the five Puerto Rican National Party political prisoners, Lolita Lebron, Oscar Collazo, Irving Flores, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Andres Figueroa Cordero, stemming from 1950 and 1954 attacks in Washington DC. Includes much actuality, including of Carlos Feliciano, at that time a recently released Puerto Rican Nationalist political prisoner.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 1/4/1975Call Number: NI 052Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Lincoln Bergman, Claude Marks, Nancy Barrett, Mark SchwartzProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
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
Date: 1/25/1975Call Number: NI 055Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Show dedicated to the anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements. Connecting it to the struggles of Vietnam, Amilcar Cabral, and his success in helping Guinea Bissau gain its sovereignty. Show closes off with updates on Latin America focusing on Cuba and Puerto Rico.
