“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: 11/29/1975Call Number: NI 090Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Lincoln Bergman, Claude MarksProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Dino Butler, Bob Robideau, James Eagle, and Leonard Peltier indicted in death of FBI agents. Alcatraz occupation anniversary tribute, with Richard Oakes, John Trudell. Shooting death of Richard Oakes. Tribute to Rosa Parks.
Vietnam Victory
Date: 5/3/1975Call Number: NI 056Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Nancy Barrett, Lincoln BergmanProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
This is a Vietnam victory program.
NOTE: an excerpt from this tape is on Roots of Resistance, Volume 1, highlights CD.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 10/6/1973Call Number: NI 001Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
This is the first "Nothing Is More Precious Than" (Freedom and Independence) program. Begins with a report from the Union of Vietnamese, commentary on political prisoners. States that under the Thieu regime, huge numbers of people in concentration camps and prisons—more prisons have been built than schools and churches combined. The Union demands that all political prisoners be released, all US aid cut off, and implementation of the agreement take place. Update on Chile, actions against the fascist coup, reports on bomb explosions at ITT and ATT. Weather Underground communiqué read in full. News roundup of events and protests throughout Latin America, October 8th, the Day of the Heroic Guerrilla--international week of solidarity with Chile.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 10/13/1973Call Number: NI 002Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Claude MarksProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Program includes reports on Chile and Bay Area solidarity demonstrations, Middle East, San Quentin Six, Black Liberation Army
Nothing is More Precious Than...
Date: 10/20/1973Call Number: NI 003Format: 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
Stories on political prisoners, Chile, Native American, Weather Underground, Joanne Chesimard, Mark Lane, Pedro Bissonette
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 10/27/1973Call Number: NI 004Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Claude MarksProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
Wide ranging program--including report from Pine Ridge and many other inserts (separately described).
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 4/27/1974Call Number: NI 023Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Claude Marks, Mark Schwartz, Nancy Barrett, Susan MatrossProgram: Nothing is More Precious ThanCollection: “Nothing is More Precious Than…” a news magazine including music and poetry
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
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: 11/10/1973Call Number: NI 006Format: 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
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
Date: 11/17/1973Call Number: NI 007Format: 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
San Quentin 6 report, David Johnson, prison interviews with Gabriel Torres and Herman Bell
