Los Angeles, We need to VOTE!

The Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act

The biggest banks in the country—the ones that wrecked our economy and cost millions of Americans their jobs—pay next to nothing on the debt they owe the government, while students pay nine times as much. That isn’t right.

That’s why I’ve introduced the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act to let students take advantage of the same low rates offered to banks for one year while Congress finds a fair, long-term solution on student loan interest rates.

Will you add your voice in support of giving students the same deal as big banks? Click here to sign the petition.

The interest rate on federal subsidized Stafford student loans is set to increase from 3.4% to 6.8% on July 1st. If Congress doesn’t act soon, millions of college students will see their student loan payments jump.

Some argue that it’s too expensive to keep government loans at low interest rates, but the federal government makes low interest loans all the time—just not to everyone. Big banks can borrow money through the Federal Reserve discount window at a rate of about 0.75%.

That’s why I started a petition on MoveOn’s petition site which says:

Wall Street banks—the ones that wrecked our economy—should not be getting a better interest rate on their government loans than young people trying to go to college.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Unlike the big banks, students don’t have armies of lobbyists and lawyers. But they do have us.

Let’s do what’s right and bank on students.

Thanks!

–Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator

This petition was created on MoveOn’s online petition site, where anyone can start their own online petitions. Senator Elizabeth Warren didn’t pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell theMoveOn.org list.

Lawrence Lessig: We the People, and the Republic we must reclaim

Lawrence Lessig, who I met in early 2009, educated me about the need for campaign finance reform to keep government, and in turn, the law from favoring corporate interests over the interests of average citizens. Lessig is brilliant and sincere. Please take the time to check out his point of view. His organization Rootstrikers is doing great work!

At the beginning of April, TED posted the talk I gave at their annual conference. In the six weeks since, more than 800,000 people have viewed it across the TED platform and YouTube.

I’ve been doing this for a long time, but nothing I’ve ever done has spread like this.

So two weeks ago, I spoke at the TEDxYouth event in Chicago. I began that talk in a similar way, with the same argument about the corruption our government suffers. But then I ended that talk by giving the talk away — to them. Each of the 500 students in the audience got a thumb drive with the slides and the background information of the talk. Each thumb drive had a copy of the TED video, and the book I produced for that video. And I challenged those students to take that material, and remix it to tell this story in a way that would be compelling to them and their peers…

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FLAG!

-Shepard

Shepard designs the cover for Damien Echols’ book “Life After Death”

I was first made aware of the West Memphis Three murder case through Henry Rollins’ Rise Above fundraiser CD. I knew wrongful conviction of three teenage boys who wore black was a cause worth learning more about because Rollins is always on the side of due diligence and justice. When I watched the Paradise Lost documentary I was convinced that Damien Echols and his co-defendants were innocent. I donated art to a fundraiser designed to fund DNA tests that could prove their innocence (or confirm their guilt). The evidence in the case had been mishandled and the West Memphis police were reluctant to cooperate and denied the case had been mishandled. DNA evidence finally exonerated the West Memphis Three after 18 years in prison. I can’t imagine losing 18 years in jail for a false conviction, but the West Memphis Three might still be in prison if it were not for the consistent pressure by diligent truth seekers like Henry Rollins and many others. I was incredibly honored to be able to help design the cover for Damien Echols’ book “Life After Death” along with my co-worker Casey Ryder.  Check out the book  to hear the compelling story from Damien Echols’ perspective.

Migration is beautiful / Support Immigration Reform

America is a land of diversity with a rich history of embracing immigration. Almost any American can trace their family roots to immigrants. Often our ancestors migrated to escape prejudices in their homeland and to find a better life. Current immigration laws do not reflect our shared values, nor do they reflect the realities of our modern world. They all too often separate parents from their children and criminalize those seeking a better way of life. We call upon Congress to put forth an Immigration Reform Bill that leaves no one out and provides a roadmap to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants. Let’s live up to our highest ideals of democracy and freedom. Check out my friend Favianna Rodriguez’s Migration is Beautiful image and please share.
-Shepard Fairey

Mother’s Day Eve March Against Gun Violence

For anyone in the NYC area, there is a march against gun violence on May 11. The zealous gun advocates are very loud, so if you believe in common sense gun safety, please make your voice heard. Thanks for caring.

Metallica Orion Festival

I was recently interviewed about my history with Metallica and their Orion festival. Check it out.

MATTHEW STONE : Subliminal Projects May 4,2013

SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS & BRITWEEK present

MATTHEW STONE: Ecstasy

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 4 , 8 – 11 PM

Exhibition Dates: May 4 – June 1, 2013

In conjunction with Britweek, SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS is proud to present an exhibition of new work by British artist Matthew Stone. Matthew Stone describes himself as an artist and shaman, existing as a photographer, sculptor, performance artist, curator, writer, optimist and cultural provocateur.

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