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July 2008

From the Band

Dispatchers,

July 2008. One year after DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE.  We remain in awe of our collective accomplishments last July, and remain inspired to see change in Zimbabwe. The situation has only worsened since we gathered in NYC. Updates on Zimbabwe from The Dispatch Foundation are below.

In the meantime, in honor of the One-Year Anniversary of DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE, we have some exciting news for the month of July.

DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - One-Year Anniversary Special

In partnership with our friends at MHD,  we will be airing a One-Year Anniversary Special of "DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - Live at Madison Square Garden" on July 13th, 14th, and 15th.  Airtimes are as follows:

Sunday, July 13th @ 4:30 pm EST.

Monday, July 14th @ 9:00 am EST.

Monday, July 14th @ 10:30 am EST

Tuesday, July 15th @ 3:30 pm EST

Visit MHD for more info on how to tune in.

DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - Audio on ITunes

On July 15th, 2008, the one-year Anniversary of the DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE weekend, ITunes (Worldwide) will be releasing all of the audio from the "DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - Live at Madison Square Garden" DVD. The audio is currently only available in the retail package of the DVD (with a redeemable DropCard), but now will be available for all on ITunes. A portion of net-proceeds will benefit The Dispatch Foundation's continued work in Zimbabwe.

Visit ITunes to download your copy on the 15th!

DISPATCH Online Store - Custom IPods and Moleskin Notebooks

We are proud to launch two versions of a custom "DISPATCH-Etched" 8-gig iPod Nano (with 8-gig of storage capacity).  Both versions are etched with DISPATCH artwork.  One version ships empty, and the other ships pre-loaded with Silent Steeples, Bang Bang, Four Day Trials, Who Are We Living For?, Gut The Van, Under The Radar (audio bonus), All Points Bulletin (audio only), DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - Live at Madison Square Garden (audio only), and bonus video clip.  This is a must for any DISPATCH junkie!

We are also excited to introduce a Moleskin Notebook etched with DISPATCH artwork.

Visit the DISPATCH Online Store to see all of these new items!

Thanks as always for your continued support.

**TEAM DISPATCH**

From the Foundation

The Latest News

In the weeks since the March election, Zimbabwe has suffered extensive state-sponsored intimidation. According to reports, 200,000 people have been displaced, thousands have been tortured, and 25,000 homes have been destroyed. Aid organizations have been prohibited from distributing food and the United Nations estimates that nearly half the population will need food aid by early 2009.

Two weeks ago, the opposition party quit the run-off election, blaming the violence. The United Nations determined a free election was impossible. The runoff elections were held Friday, June 25th, and were rife with coercion. Government officials are accused of terrorizing people to the polls and checking votes. Turnout was extremely low, and the ruling party won in a reported “landslide”. The President was inaugurated on Sunday, June 27th, and offered to dialogue with the opposition.

The African Union summit finished last Tuesday in Egypt and resolved that a dialogue between the government and opposition was the solution. The opposition party has rejected these calls.

The election results have been discredited inside and outside Africa. Regional pressure has increased from Ghana to Zambia and election observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) concluded that “the elections did not represent the will of the people”. Nelson Mandela spoke of a “failure of leadership” and Bishop Desmond Tutu suggested deploying an international force to “restore peace.” The United States and the United Kingdom are openly planning more stringent sanctions.

Our Work

Aid organizations are still largely banned from working in the country and food distribution is under government control.

Two weeks back, we asked that you stand with us and Join Zimbabwe’s Song. Thank you for your response. During our two week campaign, nearly 1000 supporters wrote letters to 480 representatives from the United Nations, United States Congress, and the South African Government. That's over 400,000 messages of support for the people of Zimbabwe.

Please continue sharing Zimbabwe’s Song with your friends. We will continue the pressure. Also, please visit another site working to help:

Avaaz.org - Petition to World Leaders

Thank you for your support!

The Dispatch Foundation