Dick Gregory Protoge Pens Powerful Occupy Movement Song

May 11, 2012 - PRLog -- CONTACT: Melody M. McDowell – 312-371-8917  melodypr@aol.com
DICK GREGORY PROTEGÉ PENS POWERFUL OCCUPY MOVEMENT SONG
Oh-No! Anthem to inspire Occupy protestors during Chicago’s NATO Summit

Chicago, Illinois - May 11, 2012 - A young musician whose activism and devotion to the Occupy Movement mimic that of his mentor and hero Dick Gregory, has composed a powerful song and video that has energized protestors at past rallies. Since the video captures dramatic footage of confrontations between Occupiers and law enforcement, protestors will utilize it during the upcoming NATO Summit as a reminder to be vigilant and to deploy nonviolent tactics in dealing with police.

The song and video have won acclaim from Gregory, Occupiers and generated over 1 million downloads because it powerfully captures the message of the Movement.
Titled “Oh-No,” and written by Chicago native William “Wril” Brown, the spirited, poignant, rhythmic video and edgy in-your-face tune can be viewed and downloaded at http://www.ohnorevolution.com

A dynamic young lyricist, Brown penned the tune while in jail after being arrested – along with Gregory – during an Occupy protest against BP.

Described as “Music from the Heartbeat of the Revolution,” Malik Yusef, a Grammy-Award winning songwriter and producer has joined other music critics in praising the tune and comparing its power to “We Shall Overcome” and the other call-to-action music from the Civil Rights Movement.

Embodying the frustrations of the 99%, “Oh No!” eloquently captures the passion and message of the Occupy Movement and features Wril, Dick Gregory and hip-hop artist Truth.

Since first being introduced, the video has galvanized youth Occupiers and other protestors during rallies in Greensboro, North Carolina and in Atlanta.  With over 100,000 private views, the videotune is quickly emerging as the anthem of the Occupy Movement.
Dick Gregory, who is hailed as “the original Occupier” because of his legacy of protest during the Civil Rights Movement, t has been trumpeting the video for its dynamism and its powerful message.

“Wril's video highlights the breadth, depth and heart of Occupy Wall Street and other Oh-No movements across the country,” declared Gregory.

It was on the strength of his admiration of Dick Gregory that Wril immersed himself deeper in the protest movement. When he first met Gregory    he developed a deep connection with the legendary comedian-turned-activist. He joined Gregory in his protest against BP for not providing financial compensation to the poor Gulf residents who were victims of BP’s gross negligence -- though BP had earned billions of dollars in profits. Wril was arrested alongside Gregory when they staged a protest at British Petroleum's headquarters in Washington, D.C. The goal was to focus attention on the plight of the many lives and businesses that were devastated by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oilrig explosion.

Singer/songwriter Wril was so stirred by the injustice surrounding the crisis that, similar to the epiphany that sparked Dr. King to write his letters from a Birmingham jail, Wril was also inspired to pen the song “Oh No!” while in jail following the BP arrest.

The quick-paced video captures the passion, angst and overall message of the Occupy Movement in dramatic footage.  Among the scenes captured in the four-minute “docutune” are the arrests, the hauling off to jail of members and the highly-controversial pepper spraying of young innocent protestors who were silently voicing their protests during a sit-in at the University of California – Davis.  Pictured silently sitting while being sprayed, the act elicited worldwide outrage and symbolized the force that authorities have wielded in the face of non-violent peaceful protests.

In the video, Wril intersperses scenes from the protests with the refrain: Oh No!
In compelling musical snippets, the video dramatically spans the country depicting the outrage of the Occupy Movement.  The video underscores the energy and the transformation from despair to defiance of the 99% who see the banking policies as being destructive of the aspirations and hopes of those considered outside of the power network and who are victimized by the policies of the 1%.

"I have always wanted my music to express who I am as a person, to reflect my strong feelings about injustice and inspire others to take action to better our lives," says Wril. "This song and video 'Oh-No' embodies the frustrations of many Americans and captures the passion of the Occupy Movement."

Says legendary activist Dick Gregory: "The gifted young songwriter and vocalist Wril has a spirit of activism and social consciousness that harkens back to those revolutionaries and freedom fighters from the '60 and '70s whose brave sacrifices helped bring about the landmark changes of the Civil Rights Movement.

"With strong and committed activists like Wril acting as drum majors for justice, freedom and equality," Gregory continues, "the Occupy Movement will achieve all of its lofty goals and mirror the success we enjoyed during the Civil Rights Era."


About Dick Gregory:
Dick Gregory is a legendary comedian and entrepreneur known for his extended fasting to protest injustices and his Bahamian diet. His renown as an entertainer and businessman is matched by his social activism.  He has been outspoken about hundreds of human rights issues since the 1960’s and recently staged a protest against BP for the fraudulent and callous way they handled the BP oil spill.  An icon from the Civil Rights Movement, he has become active in the Occupy Wall Street movement and finds parallels between the protests of the ‘60s and the outrage against banks and corporations of today. He says that the issue in both Movements revolves around justice and equity –two principles that are dear to him and for which he continues to fight.

About William “Wril” Brown:
William "Wril" Brown is a singer/lyricist whose talent has won admiration and praise from the legendary duo Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, as well as that of literary icon Maya Angelou, for his song "Forever and Ever I Do," which he wrote and delivers with exceptional musicality. Wril's depth, breadth and scope are dramatized by his versatility as a vocalist, songwriter and musician.

As a musician, he has a love affair with the piano that goes back to his church roots. As a vocalist, Wril boasts a falsetto that falls in love with every note. The passion that he brings to every tune makes his delivery memorable and captivating. As a songwriter, he digs deep into the core of his soul to capture the emotions of a tune.

The themes that dominate his writing revolve around his love and admiration for women and the sentimentality of family. His respect for women is mirrored in the acronym of his name: Wril stands for Women Really Inspire Love.