It’s Not Comics, But…

By John Freeman on August 22, 2008

As a show of solidarity with the Dalai Lama and Tibet, 20 artists have come together to release a historic double album on the eve of the Beijing Olympics, The Art of Peace. These recordings – some original for the project and some acoustically driven recordings of previously released songs – express humankind’s common vulnerabilities and experiences in pursuing happiness, peace and freedom. Collectively, the tracks represent a heartfelt message of support for the path of compassion and non-violence championed by the Dalai Lama.

Begun in May of 2008 and completed in two months, the outpouring of support from all corners of the world was unparalleled. Several well-known artists participated in the album (iTunes link), including Alanis Morissette, Garbage, Imogen Heap, Moby, Sting, Suzanne Vega, Underworld and others. It also includes a 15-minute talk by exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama.

Funds raised from the album by the Foundation will go to support peace initiatives and Tibetan cultural preservation projects important to the Dalai Lama.

As the end of the Bejing Olympics nears, we applaud the athletes and the people of China in their accomplishment.

Unfortunately promises made by the Chinese Government to the I.O.C. have been broken over and over, including China’s promise to remove the “Great Firewall of China” which blocks access to the internet and information. Today, the Chinese government blocked access to the itunes store that was selling the album – not just blocking the slae of that album but most of the store itself.

Journalists who are reporting on the Olympics are still being blocked and hindered as of today. Espionage has been taking place against Pro-Tibet Groups. We need to make a stand.

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.