8/10 Hiroshima Commemoration on KPFA 94.1 FM

From the Holocaust to the firebombings of Dresden and Hamburg to the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, the horrifying legacy of World War 2 remains as a reminder that we must put an end to war. KPFA recalls August 6, 1945 with a dramatization of John Hershey's classic book, "Hiroshima."

Nuclear wars continue with the use by the US of depleted uranium, which must be banned. The World Socialist Website of 8/4/03 has done an excellent analysis of the deadly effects of the latest use of depleted uranium on US soldiers, and as we know from previous articles in many publications, depleted uranium from the first Persian Gulf Massacre killed thousands of Iraqis and Americans, permanently disabling 250,000 American soldiers. See http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/aug2003/du-a04.shtml

This dramatization of Hershey's Hiroshima will take place on KPFA radio, 94.1 FM, August 10, 2003 from 7 to 10 p.m., starring Tyne Daly, Rocoe Lee Borwn, Ruby Dee, and includes rare Pacifica Radio archival audio.
See http://www.kpfa.org/specials/index.htm

Los Angeles Indymedia has the full story at http://www.la.indymedia.org/news/2003/08/75582.php
and that story is reposted below:

WED. AUGUST 6th KPFK/PACIFICA Hiroshima Special
by Pacifica Radio Archives Pacarchive [at] aol.com (800) 735-0230 3729 Cahuenga Blvd. West

Special Pacifica Radio Archives National Broadcast Marks 58th Anniversary of Bombing of Hiroshima Live Recording of New Radio Adaptation of John Hersey's Hiroshima at 2 PM on August 6th on KPFK Starring Tyne Daly, Ruby Dee and Roscoe Lee Brown

Pacifica Radio Archives
http://pacificaradioarchives.org

Contact: Pacifica Radio Archives
(800) 735-0230

Special Pacifica Radio Archives National Broadcast Marks 58th Anniversary of Bombing of Hiroshima
Live Recording of New Radio Adaptation of John Hersey's Hiroshima
Starring Tyne Daly, Ruby Dee and Roscoe Lee Brown

LOS ANGELES (July 28)— Shigeko Sasamori, a 71-year old grandmother, and survivor of Hiroshima sits in the front row of the audience, her eyes closed, tears stream down the sides of her face as she listens to legendary actress Ruby Dee narrate a new radio adaptation of John Hersey's *Hiroshima*, an account of the atomic bombing told from the perspective of six survivors.

*At exactly fifteen minutes past eight in the morning, on August 6, 1945, Japanese time, at the moment when the atomic bomb flashed above Hiroshima,* Dee introduces the play’s characters. *A 100,000 people were killed by the atomic bomb, and these six were among the survivors. They still wonder why they lived when so many others died.*

On Wednesday, August 6th, the 58th Anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima the Pacifica Radio Archives will distribute the archives new recording of John Hersey's Hiroshima to the Pacifica stations and its affiliates for broadcast on that day.

KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles 98.7 FM Santa Barbara
August 6th
2 pm - 4 pm John Hersey's Hiroshima
4 pm - 6 pm Archival Hiroshima hours

Hiroshima by John Hersey was adapted for radio by John Valentine and is directed by Michael Haney with music by Mark Snow. The radio play stars,Tyne Daly, Ruby Dee and Roscoe Lee Brown, Daniel Benzali, Roscoe Lee Browne, Esther K. Chae, Michael Chinyamurindi, Tony Plana, Jeanne Sakata, Chris Tashima and John Valentine. Executive produced by Robert Greenwald and Kate McArdle of Artists United.

Shigeko Sasamori, who was 13 years-old at time the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, will be a guest on Pacifica’s flagship show, Democracy Now! interviewed by award-winning journalist Amy Goodman on August 6th (also available on Free Speech TV channel 9415 DISH Network satellite TV). Sasamori is one of the 25 Hiroshima maidens brought to the US for plastic surgery by acclaimed author Norman Cousins.

*The brilliant classic by John Hersey has never been more relevant, it manages to go beyond the surface to probe, explore and have us feel the humanity of those who are the object of war,* said John Hersey's Hiroshima Executive Producer, Robert Greenwald. *Using a multi ethnic cast, this play creates a powerful statement to reach and remind all of us about the power of war and its effect on lives..*

*The Pacifica Radio Archives has collected over 70 programs related to the bombing of Hiroshima,* said Brian DeShazor, Archives Director. *From a Debate between Edward Teller and LInus Pauling to the rare voices of the survivors.* Selected excerpts from the archives Hiroshima collection will also be broadcast on the Pacifica stations and many of the affiliates (details below).

The Pacifica Radio Archives collection of 40,000 recordings represents the past 50 years of Pacifica Radio. This collection is the oldest public radio programming collection in the United States. Pacifica Radio was founded by pacifists in 1949 and first went on the air April 15 as KPFA-FM in Berkeley CA.

Advance CDs of the programs and productions photos are available to journalists upon request.

Details of Broadcast Schedule:

KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles 98.7 Santa Barbara
August 6th
2 pm - 4 pm John Hersey's Hiroshima
4 pm - 6 pm Archival Hiroshima hours

WPFW 89.3 FM, Washington, DC
August 6th
10 am - 12:00 pm John Hersey's Hiroshima
Archival hours broadcast on August 5th and 7th

KPFA 94.1 FM, Berkeley
August 10th
7 pm -9 pm John Hersey's Hiroshima
9 pm - 11 pm Archival Hiroshima hours

KPFT 90.1 FM, Houston
August 6th
12 pm - 2 pm John Hersey's Hiroshima
Archival hours will air on the 5th and 7th at noon

WBAI 99.5 FM, New York
August 6th
7 am - 9 am John Hersey's Hiroshima
Archival hours will air on another day

Affiliates

KAOS 89.3 FM, Olympia WA
August 6th
Noon- 2 PM John Hersey's Hiroshima

KRZA 88.7 FM, Alamosa, CO/ Taos, NM
August 6th
Noon- 2 PM John Hersey's Hiroshima

(more to come)

Pacifica Radio Archives
3729 Cahuenga Blvd. West
North Hollywood CA 91604
http://pacificaradioarchives.org
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