Democracy Now! October 3, 2002

9:00-9:01 BILLBOARD 9:01-9:06 HEADLINES 9:06-9:07 ONE-MINUTE MUSIC BREAK 9:07-9:30: On Sunday thousands will gather in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and over a dozen cities to oppose an invasion of Iraq and take the Not In Our Name Pledge. Seven-time Emmy award winning actor Ed Asner, is one of them. Born in Kansas City in 1929, he started his performance career as an announcer for his high school radio station. He then moved from stage work in the fifties to television in the 60s. He won several Emmys for portraying the character of Mary Tyler Moore s boss Lou Grant in the Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977) and a crusading newspaperman for the spin-off series Lou Grant (1977-1982). While Lou Grant was in production, Asner was twice elected the head of the Screen Actor s Guild, a position that he frequently used as a forum for his political opinions notably his opposition to US involvement in Central America. When Asner suggested that each guild member contribute toward opposing the country s foreign policy, he clashed with Charlton Heston, who seized Asner s office from him in a highly publicized power play. Though no tangible proof has ever been offered, it was Asner s belief that Lou Grant was canceled in 1982 due to his political beliefs and not because of dwindling ratings. Asner is outspoken in his opposition to the Bush Administration and its so-called war on terror. STUDIO GUEST: ED ASNER 9:20-9:21 ONE-MINUTE MUSIC BREAK 9:21-9:25 ASNER CONT D 9:25-9:27 SAUL WILLIAMS NOT IN OUR NAME PLEDGE 9:27-9:30 TALK BACK TO WAR: DEMOCRACY NOW! LISTENER COMMENTS 9:30-9:58: The Not In Our Name movement was born after September 11 to strengthen and expand resistance to US militarism and war. The key issues that inform the movement are preventing war on the people of the world; stopping the disappearances and vicious attacks on Arab, Muslim and South Asian people in the US and stopping the destruction of civil, legal and political rights, including the very right to dissent, here in the US. On Sunday October 6th, thousands will gather at Not In Our Name rallies in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and over a dozen cities around the country, to take a stand against war. Today we talk with musician, playwright and political activist Oscar Brown Jr., Palestinian-American poet Suheir Hammad and Miles Solay of Refuse and Resist Oscar Brown Jr., is considered by many to be the father of rap music. A successful lyricist, poet, songwriter, playwright, actor and vocalist, Oscar first gained national attention in 1960 with the release of Sin and Soul , his critically acclaimed debut album. His original plays include Kicks & Company , Joy 66 Summer in the City , Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow , Opportunity Please Knock and the musical Big Time Buck White which appeared on Broadway and featured Muhammad Ali in its title role. Suheir Hammad is a Palestinian-American poet and political activist. She has published a book of poems, Born Palestinian, Born Black and a memoir Drops of this Story and is prominently featured in Listen Up! An Anthology of Spoken Word Poetry. She is a recipient of the Audre Lorde Writing Award from Hunter College, the Morris Center for Healing Poetry Award. In addition to her work as a creative artist, Hammad has written and spoken out about issues such as the defense of Mumia Abu-Jamal, domestic violence, sexual abuse, racism and homophobia. Miles Solay is an organizer for the Not In Our Name rally in New York and an activist with Refuse and Resist. STUDIO GUEST: ED ASNER STUDIO GUEST: OSCAR BROWN, JR. STUDIO GUEST: SUHEIR HAMMAD, Palestinian-American poet and political activist STUDIO GUEST: MILES SOLAY Links: Not In Our Name: http://www.notinourname.net Not in Our Name Music: http://www.notinournamemusic.com/index1.html Artists Network of Refuse and Resist: http://www.artistsnetwork.org 9:58-9:59 Outro and Credits