Hellcat Records

STREET DOGS STAND UP FOR TIBET'S IMPRISONED ARTISTS

October 4, 2010

Veteran street rockers, the Street Dogs, have joined with the non-profit Built On Respect to raise awareness for human rights violations in Tibet, and to encourage youth to use their freedom to speak for those who cannot.

In a new PSA released this week, Street Dogs singer, Mike McColgan, and Built on Respect founder, Heidi Minx, call particular attention to the recent crackdowns on jailed Tibetan artists Tashi Dhondup and Dhondup Wangchen. In the video, the band has changed the lyrics of the song FREEDOM to reflect freedom in Tibet - the song is from the band's current self-titled release.

McColgan notes, "We enjoy certain freedoms living in a democracy, and one of them is using our voices for human rights. We are particularly appalled at the charges and sentences against filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen and singer, Tashi Dhondup."

This winter, the band plans to record a new song, with proceeds benefiting Built On Respect.

Minx cites her inspiration for Built On Respect's work with musicians, "In
1993 the Beastie Boys spearheaded a movement to raise youth awareness of Tibet - through music. A series of landmark Tibetan Freedom concerts were held, and a fire was ignited. 17 years later, much has changed, but Tibet is still not free, nor have the conditions improved. This needs to change."

It is time to change that -- and the Street Dogs have lent a hefty dose of gasoline to the fire for democracy.

About Built on Respect:
Built on Respect has been a mantra for alt-culture personality heidiminx for years. It continues to be her driving mission, "Treating people with respect, and sewing the seeds of fairness creates solidarity"

Minx has started Built On Respect to help Tibetan refugees in exile. She travels between NYC and Dharamsala, India -- concentrating on positive youth action, she works to fight cultural genocide, ageism, discrimination and raise social and political awareness.

Minx blogs and posts videos and photos on a regular basis to break down the barriers of distance and truly show support in action.