"Awake From Your Slumber" brings together two visionaries:
citizen-activist Ralph Nader and punk poet Patti Smith, in a powerful
dialogue of war and peace. Touring together as the Democracy Rising Peace
Tour, Ralph and Patti make the case against the Iraq war and the
corporate takeover of our democracy. Produced by the Hudson Mohawk
Independent Media Center, AWAKE mixes image, music and spoken word to
strip away the facade of political lies and reveal the annihilation of
civilization, war profiteering, the unseen dead, and the unheard cries of
motherhood. "Awake From Your Slumber" is history lesson, poetry reading
and rock concert. Above all, it is an inspiring, mesmerizing, and deeply
moving call to action, showing the power of the people to make change.
Special features include three additional songs by Patti Smith, an
interview with Ralph Nader by Amy Goodman, and additional information
about Ralph, Patti, Democracy Rising and the Hudson-Mohawk Indy Media Center. 2008.

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From studios in the basement of the Sanctuary, the Hudson Mohawk Independent Media Center introduces their new DVD, "Ralph Nader and Patti Smith: Awake From Your Slumber," continuing their commitment to grassroots media production and distribution as tools for promoting social and economic justice

In 2003-2004, the Hudson Mohawk Independent Media Center published the Indymedia War and Peace Trilogy DVD, which includes three documentaries, "Independent Media in a Time of War," "Voices Against War: F15 NYC," and "Women's Fast for Peace."

Part scathing critique, part call to action, "Independent Media In A Time Of War" makes a compelling argument that the news media has failed to represent "the true face of war." Narrator Amy Goodman criticizes the refusal to report civilian war casualties during the 2003 Iraq invasion and the new phenomenon of "embedded reporters," as examples of a pro-military bias in the corporate media.

The Independent Media Center is a global network of collectively run media outlets for the creation of radical, accurate, and passionate tellings of truth. We are motivated by a love and inspiration for people who work for a better world despite corporate media's distortions and unwillingness to cover efforts to develop an egalitarian and sustainable society. We address issues the mainstream media neglects and we do not conceal our politics behind false objectivity. We empower people to "become the media" by providing democratic access to available technologies and information.

www.hmimc.org