Over the past 30 years, Buffalo media activists have addressed issues as varied as reproductive freedom, AIDS, First Nation rights, the environment, urban blight, prisoners rights and freedom of speech. Squeaky Wheel has consistently supported, sometimes organized, and frequently aired WNY video activist interventions on public access television and the web.    In the early 90’s, activist collectives 8mm News Collective and MCRR joined organizations like ACT-UP and Buffalo United for Choice to bring voice to views not represented in the mainstream media; and weekly shows like Studio of the Streets fought for our rights to air those views on television while teaching viewers production and distribution techniques through ad-libbed tutorials.  In recent years, Squeaky Wheel has been instrumental in bringing media makers together with non-profit organizations and coalitions through its Channels initiative to promote social issues across media platforms and in community screenings. These and other initiatives have demonstrated that if nothing else, community media is activism.

MEDIA ACTIVISM PANELISTS:
Ruth Goldman (moderator)
Ghen Dennis
Meg Knowles
Brian Milbrand
Paige Sarlin

This multi-media conference celebrates Squeaky Wheel’s former and current programs, artists, scholars, and community members. The public is invited to participate in a series of free events at Burchfield Penney Art Center exploring media art and its makers in Western New York.