[mobglob-discuss] Fwd: [e-left-l] Anti-G8 activists censored at 2002 MuchMusic Video Awards

[Graeme Bacque]

------------forwarded message------------
From: Alex Lisman <alisman at ryesac.ca>
Subject: [e-left-l] Anti-G8 activists censored at 2002 MuchMusic Video Awards
Sender: e-left-l-admin at list.web.net
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2002 23:34:38 -0400


Anti-G8 activists censored at 2002 MuchMusic Video Awards

June 16, 2002
For Immediate Release

Toronto -- Anti-Group of Eight (G8) activists were given the choice of
hiding their anti-G8 signs or being forcibly removed by security tonight at
the 2002 MuchMusic Video Awards. An activist known to friends as "Dubya" was
yelled at by security personnel after his "Youth Against the G8" sign was
seen in the background of several shots during the live recording on Queen
Street, in downtown Toronto.  After being threatened with physical removal,
the small group of anti-G8 activists decided to leave voluntarily.

The live broadcast and street party shut down Queen Street West from
University Avenue to Spadina -- more than an entire city block. The
activists were standing on the sidewalk holding up a "Youth Against the G8"
sign and it could be seen in the background as the show went live to air for
the "Red Carpet Arrivals." As thousands gathered and lined the streets to
watch celebrity guests enter the MuchHeadquarters studio, activists also
leafleted the crowd with information on the G8 and upcoming protests in
Canada.

"Even in public spaces our anti-G8 message is contentious and deliberately
censored by the mainstream media," one activist said. "Freedom of expression
was not part of MuchMusic's program tonight, even though they claim to
produce 'alternative' and 'relevant' content for young Canadians. Young
people across Canada are participating in large numbers in these
demonstrations. They were recording on public property and had no right to
quash our dissent."

Another activist commented,"Isn't it ironic that we were censored right next
to Speaker's Corner--the place where freedom of expression is supposedly
celebrated by MuchMusic? They're afraid our message will get out to the
estimated 60,000,000 that have access to this live broadcast in North
America."  Speaker's Corner, at the corner of John and Queen Streets,
records and airs political and personal messages that are broadcast weekly
by MuchMusic.

Activists from across Canada and internationally will be demonstrating
against the destructive policies of the Group of Eight elite nations as they
meet for their summit in Kananaskis, Alberta from June 26 to 27, 2002. For
more information on the protests in Alberta and in communities across
Canada, go to http://www.g8.activism.ca/ and http://www.mob4glob.ca/

- 30 -

For more information, please call Dubya at:  (416) 960-5190

To voice your concerns about the censoring of activists at the 2002
MuchMusic Video Awards, email MuchMusic at muchmail at muchmusic.com
<muchmail at muchmusic.com>

Notable quote:
"MuchMusic has always been about breaking down the walls that separate the
viewer from the station."
- MuchMusic website (http://www.muchmusic.com/community/)




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The Metro Network for Social Justice (MNSJ) is a coalition of groups
dedicated to the promotion of social and economic justice.
Together we can turn our collective power into real political action.
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