A transversal and plural collective

NO CALLAREM is a cross-cutting and plural platform of citizens, groups, and organizations working together to defend freedom of expression, denouncing its violation wherever it occurs.

The platform’s main objective is to give maximum visibility to any social issue that manifests a violation of the right to freedom of expression, both in the field of artistic creation (individual or collective expression) and in any other context of human coexistence.

NO CALLAREM currently channels its activities through Panorama 180 a non-profit association.

Photograph taken from the article “No Callarem toma la cárcel Modelo” (We Will Not Be Silent) published by El Periódico on April 4, 2018. Photograph by Joan Puig.

The beginning

The Panorama 180 association was founded in March 2010 as a non-profit organization for the training, dissemination, and development of new forms of copyright in the digital age. The association is committed to models that foster freer distribution, a fairer distribution for authors, and a new participatory audience, all in support of the commons.

Based on this initial objective, the organization naturally becomes involved in projects promoting social transformation, in defense of freedom of expression and human rights, with a gender perspective, and for the achievement of a dignified life for all people, regardless of their origin, religious affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, etc.

Through the primary objective of working for the commons, we integrate a gender and cultural diversity perspective across all our activities and procedures. We do this within Catalonia, with links to other territories in the Spanish State, in dialogue between the urban and rural contexts, and with organizations that are part of the social and solidarity economy.

We also participate in the enriching relationships that exist between municipalities of Catalonia and in relations with international organizations working to defend human rights and culture as a transformative tool. Our mission is to work globally from the local level.

A little history

The platform’s first initiative took place on May 21, 2017, with the planning of an event to denounce and protest the sentencing of artists such as rappers César Strawberry and Valtonyc, among others. That day of protest against repression brought together more than 5,000 people and more than 40 artists, including Albert Pla, Txarango, and Mishima, to name a few, to Badalona’s Parc del Gran Sol.

A year later, in April 2018, two more notable milestones for the NO CALLAREM collective took place:

On the one hand, in support of the artist Elgio, a former member of the rap collective “La Insurgencia,” a series of events for freedom of expression were held in Sabadell, bringing together more than 500 people and five musical groups at the former Civil Guard barracks.

On the other hand, and in record time, the platform organized the Freedom of Expression Week, from April 9 to 15, at the Modelo prison in Barcelona. An extensive program of art, dance, music, photography, and other activities drew more than 15,000 people.

Photograph of the Setmana de la Llibertat d’Expressió taken from the Barcelona City Council website.

Looking to the future

Over the years, NO CALLAREM’s impact on the media and social media has brought attention to cases of censorship and attacks on freedom of expression.

Since 2019, the platform has actively collaborated with ARTIST at RISK (AR), a global organization founded in 2013 that assists, relocates, and funds artists at risk of persecution, oppression, and even death, or who are fleeing war or persecution from political, economic, or religious powers anywhere in the world.

Its objective is to map and compile a database of artists worldwide who suffer some form of repression due to their political ideology, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc. The artists contact the organization, and after studying the applicants’ profiles and situations, the organization provides them with a safe space in the various locations and cities where it collaborates (more than 300 organizations) so they can continue their artistic activity and serve as an international spokesperson for the danger and loss of rights they face.

Poster of the event held at the Ateneu Popular 9 Barris to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of NO CALLAREM ARTISTES EN RISC BARCELONA.

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