"Called Out Your Name"

Brand new song and video!

We're playing the Tractor Tavern on 8/11, come see new music!

514 Rescued in Chennai, India

Good news friends!

http://www.ijm.org/newsfromthefield/more-than-500-free-from-slavery-in-ijms-largest-operation-ever

In what is recorded as International Justice Mission's largest rescue operation EVER, 514 men, women, and children were rescued from forced labor in a brick kiln. They had experienced 18-hour workdays without adequate food or rest for an undetermined amount of time - accompanied by severe beatings and no payment for their work.

It all started with one man calling his brother from inside the kiln (in secret) and describing his situation. His brother, Boola, took action and local authorities contacted IJM. They worked together to bring restoration to these 514 people, celebrating their humanity and newfound freedom. How beautiful! And it all started with one person crying out.

What's your response to a story like this? What ball could you start rolling with your voice?

http://www.ijm.org/newsfromthefield/more-than-500-free-from-slavery-in-ijms-largest-operation-ever

High Dive concert tonight

Come join us at the High Dive in Fremont/Seattle tonight. The show starts at 8pm with Smiley Faces, then Knathan Ryan and the Silent K's at 9pm, we close the evening with a set starting at 10pm. Cost $6, 21&up. Aloha.

Arts Aftercare

We're working hard on our Arts Aftercare program - "Beauty and healing through the Arts." Bringing art and music therapy to survivors recovering from modern slavery. New website launch and much more to come on Arts Aftercare soon! (photo by Jeanne Damoff)

Show tonight!

Hey all, thanks for listening to some of Jonny and I's musical musings on Wednesday. I'm writing to tell you about the show TONIGHT at 7pm at Christ the King Community Church Bellingham. Luke Stanage, Esoptron, Kye Kye, and your friends from JUBILEE will assemble to do what we like to do - enjoy some of the best in life to do something about the worst. We'll talk about the injustices still going on in the world and jam along the way. Hope to see you there.

Happy June First Everybody!

Chennai and The Exciting Past

1. In a recent partnership of IJM with local authorities, over 500 men, women, and children have been rescued from a brick kiln where they had been held in a form of slavery called bonded labor.

Bonded labor refers to a system where an individual advances a family the US equivalent of a couple hundred dollars (frequently the amount is much less than this). That owner then holds the family in their bonded service until they are able to 'pay off' the debt. Oftentimes, even after decades, they will never declare the debt paid, keeping the family in their service - slavery under the guise of good business.

Here's the article: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-29/chennai/29486830_1_revenue-officials-kiln-labourers

We're ecstatic to celebrate one of the largest rescue operations in IJM's history.

2. Also, you may remember from our recent West Coast tour that we had the privilege of taking part in the Freedom Summit this year. Well, friends, THE AUDIO RECORDINGS ARE ONLINE FOR FREE, with even some video! Check out the link here: http://freedom-summit.org/2011/watch/ . Fifty points to the first person who spots Curtis' breakout session.