Eric Guerin's Inane Ramblings

This week’s Buzzworthy Wednesday is a music video…but one with a cause. It is “Neda” by the Airborne Toxic Event. They wrote this song in remembrance of Neda Agha-Soltan, who was shot and killed on the streets of Tehran by a government militia group a year ago during a peaceful protest of the disputed Iranian presidential election.

I think the band’s use of animation using “courtroom style” illustrations is incredibly effective. Particularly in visually telling the horrible story of Neda’s death and the video taken by someone with a cell phone video camera who uploaded it to the internet (if you want to watch that video here is the link but be warned that the content is graphic).

This original video of Neda’s murder has shifted the power of broadcasting typically controlled by governments and corporations (such as Iranian state-run television), to the hands of the people. It’s one of the first examples showing how we have entered a new era of citizen journalism and with that the power of one voice, one photo or one video has the ability to reach millions and ignite change.

The Airborne Toxic Event wrote & recorded the song with all proceeds from the sale now available for download on iTunes going to Amnesty International.