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Jan-17-2012 17:41printcommentsVideo

'Occupy Wall Street-what's it all about?'

Truth, Justice, and Peace are on the line and Agron Belica’s new song, Spirit of the 99 is its anthem.

Song: Spirit of the 99
From Agron Belica's music video: Spirit of the 99

(BOSTON) - “Occupy Wall Street—what’s it all about?” demands Agron Belica in his latest song Spirit of the 99. He then proceeds to answer his question in his most hard-hitting formulation yet, in lyrics by Belica and Ervis Topalli, of his on-going critique of life and injustice in the American Empire at home and abroad.

As the United States slips back to the socio-economic conditions of the 19th century—our democracy being converted to a plutocracy in the process—Belica celebrates the usually unheard voices of the 99 percent. They are virtually unrepresented in the government, media, and politics of the establishment, which contrives to facilitate the accelerating concentration of big money and big power in the hands of the few—the one percent.

True, there are still “free” elections, but few candidates can succeed without the resources and approval of their corporate or lobbyist puppet-masters, so in most cases, we are given a choice among pre-approved and vetted candidates; we can vote for whoever has the best patter or has the best smile.

Much of America has been too busy struggling to survive to protest their dilemma. Fortunately, there are activists such as Ken O’Keefe, Gilad Atzmon, and Tim King and the staff of Salem-News.com, who are working to educate the public about the untruth, injustice, and wars that sustain the status quo.

Agron w/ Jamal & Tim King, Encore Music, Agron Belica,  Ervis Topalli, Ryan PM,                Patrick Dreier,                           another shot of Ervis,                           one more of Ryan

–Ken O’Keefe, who is known worldwide for his activism in far-flung places like Baghdad and Gaza, offered solid praise for Spirit of the 99:

Drummer Ryan DM during a recording session

There are countless ways to contribute to the creation of a just and peaceful world, music being just one such way. But sometimes music hits a chord that lights a fire which serves as fuel for the revolution. I think brother Agron and crew may very well have hit the chord with 'Spirit of the 99'. It hits the chord for me. TJP

Truth, Justice, and Peace are on the line and Agron Belica’s Spirit of the 99 is its anthem.

The team who produced this important song are to be congratulated: The producers Ryan Manning (a.k.a. Ryan PM) and Patrick Dreier for their first-class musical production at Encore Music Academy, and the vocals by Agron Belica and Ervis Topalli, with Patrick Dreier on the chorus who also performs a spectacular solo on the electric guitar. Well done!

–Jay R. Crook, PhD.

Occupy Wall Street: 'Spirit of the 99' by Agron Belica featuring Patrick Dreier & Ervis Topalli.

Produced by Ryan PM & P. Dreier

_________________________________
Salem-News.com Writer/Author/Musician Agron Belica, shown on the right with the group's founder, Tim King, faced many challenges growing up as a rootless street youth, situations so intense that they threatened to destroy him- that is until he rediscovered his Muslim roots a few years ago and turned his life around.

In 2008, Agron Belica published his research article The Revival of the Prophet Yahya, and has caused quite a stir in scholarly circles. In 2009, a new theory was born, The Crucifixion: Mistaken Identity? John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ.

With no formal advanced education, he offers new interpretations of certain key words in the Quran along with his challenging theories about the role of John the Baptist in the Crucifixion and has attracted the attention of well-known scholars in the field of comparative religion, such as Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar, the first American woman to translate the Quran into English, the noted university professor, Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub, and the author and translator, Dr. Jay R. Crook.

You can write to Agron at this address: agronbelica@gmail.com

_________________________________
Ryan Manning was born in 1982 in Danvers, MA. Influenced by drummers such as Stewart Copeland, John Bonham, and Larry Mullen JR, he began playing the drums at age twelve.

He joined his first band with best friends and schoolmates in 1996. This experience would later develop into a life long dream and passion for performing music in a professional setting and recording.

Ryan is a self-taught, experienced musician with an ear for melody and a passion for music theory and arrangement. His current projects include And Then There Were None (Tooth and Nail Records), Young London (Fugitive Recordings/EMI).

____________________________________________________
Dr. Jay R. Crook spent his formative years in the New York metropolitan area, where a chance acquaintance awakened his interest in Islamic culture and civilization, and he soon embraced Islam. After military service and saving some money, he ventured to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to study and ultimately, spent most of his working life in the Middle East, especially in Iran and Saudi Arabia.

He received his Ph.D. in 1978 in the Doctoral Program of Persian Literature for Foreigners at Tehran University. His doctoral thesis was A Comparison of the Quranic Stories of Surabadi With the Bible. Subsequent to leaving Iran in 1980, he worked as an English teacher in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia before retiring in 1997. He now resides in Arizona and has translated several books from Persian into English, including Kashifi’s The Royal Book of Spiritual Chivalry and Ghazzali’s The Alchemy of Happiness.




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Anonymous January 19, 2012 6:14 pm (Pacific time)

When the Occupy returns they will be facing a far different, and a much more inhospitable [national] environment. Politicians, being the Machivellians they are, will greenlight law enforcement to see that laws (getting permits) are followed for any large demonstration. The democrats will give these groups wide distance, while the conservatives will relish their expected bad behavior as the always predictable anarchists act out. It is best to follow the law and vote (just once please!).


Agron Belica January 19, 2012 2:36 pm (Pacific time)

@M. Dennis Paul Ph.D.: Thanks so much!!!! Love right back @ you from your brother. PEACE


M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. January 19, 2012 2:03 pm (Pacific time)

Well done, Agron and crew!!! Come springtime, 10,000 blossoms will bloom, and the 99% will be larger in its showing and stronger in its actions. 2012...America takes to the streets in an entirely new way. Thank you for helping to keep the spirit alive during this crazy winter. love from your brother..


Matt Johnson January 18, 2012 12:37 pm (Pacific time)

This song rocks! Where do I sign up?

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