(read and scroll down for video opinions and news updated often)

Danice Crawford, Alan Kaplan and several other key and awesome individuals are collaborating to build the capacity of Alan’s website and launch Danice’s documentary, Hear U.S. Now. This documentary will be the first venture for Danice’s newly formed arts & entertainment company, Dux Femina Facti, LLC (which means “A woman was leader of the exploit” in Latin from Virgil). Please take 15 minutes to check out the Declaration of Independence video posted on the homepage & get galvanized. We are seeking to provide a context for direct public opinion in this new era of digital democracy. Essentially, Now Hear Us is a non-partisan resource for civic education and political action, it’s a web platform built as a cure for apathy and an antidote for helplessness. Through this website, we intend to drive the focus to the power of “voices heard” and contribute to a political internet environment that helps people assert themselves and become active partners in the political process.

www.nowhearus.com- Danice’s Introduction & Call to Action

In the coming years, portions of these interviews & Catalyst Party happenings will be juxtaposed with our footage from the 2008 Democratic & Republican Conventions & related events in Denver & Minneapolis. The subsequent documentary, Hear U.S. Now, will ultimately be a personalized reflection on the cultural heritage of the United States through the lens of all that Danice and the crew experience from July to November 2008 during the course of this project.

Rebel Diaz

Hip hop trio Rebel Diaz pause outside the Denver Courthouse during day 1 of the Democratic National Convention to discuss their views on the Democratic party, Barack Obama and civic engagement.

Falungong Protest at Denver’s Civic Center Park

Activists at the Democratic National Convention protest Chinese oppression of Falungong, forced organ removal and emphasize the need for international intervention and awareness.

The Catalyst Party- Saturday Aug 30, 2008

Mariah, Miranda and Aubrey encourage the public to join the Hear U.S. Now crew on Saturday night, August 30th at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art for The Catalyst Party: an evening of artistic & political discourse featuring the opportunity to sound off on film, enjoy conscious music, peruse activist art and down a coveted democratini.

Charlie & Mary

2 Florida residents tell Danice a bit about their lives and what they consider to be the most important issues facing Americans today.

Alan Rettig- His Foremost Concerns

Alan Rettig, Regional Director of Catholic Charities of Central Florida, interviewed by Danice Crawford in Orlando in June 2008 for the civic engagement documentary, Here U.S. Now.

Tyler Bushman of the Mormon Worker @ Ralph Nader Rally during the DNC

Tyler Bushman, recently returned from working with the Zapatista community in Chiapas, Mexico, discusses his views on American politics, neoliberal economic effects and Mormon theology with Danice Crawford at the Ralph Nader Open the Debates Rally at the University of Denver during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Arelya Mitchell, publisher of The Black Information Highway

Danice Crawford interviews Ms. Arelya Mitchell outside of the Pepsi Center during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Ms. Mitchell is the publisher & editor-in-chief of The Mid-South Tribune and The Black Information Highway of Memphis, Tennessee, and she participated in Mississippi 1964 Freedom Summer. Here she shares her thoughts on politics, civic engagement, the African American community, and Barack Obama’s historic nomination falling on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Lisa Patlis- Advice for the Twenty-somethings

Lisa Patlis quickly shares some advice with Danice Crawford for the 20-something generation while waiting outside of the Denver Democratic National Convention.

Obama Acceptance Speech Reactions- Actor Wendell Pierce

Actor Wendell Pierce shares his thoughts on African American history & New Orleans hurricane preparedness with Danice Crawford outside of the DNC after Barack Obama’s acceptance speech on August 28th, 2008.

Obama Acceptance Speech Reactions- Comedian AD outside DNC

Denver residents Anthony (Comedian AD) and Lucretia share their thoughts with Danice Crawford outside of the Democratic National Convention after Barack Obama’s acceptance speech on August 28th 2008.

Republicans for Environmental Protection- David Jenkins in Minneapolis

David Jenkins, Government Affairs Director for the Republicans for Environmental Protection, describes the REP and shares his opinions on key issues with Danice Crawford while at the Minneapolis Civic Fest during the Republican National Convention.

ONE Campaign panel segment: Senator Bill Frist & policy strategist Michael Gerson

Segments of the “American Leadership on Global Health” discussion during the “New Frontiers in Global Health & Economic Development” panel presented by the ONE Campaign at Minneapolis’ Civic Fest during the 2008 Republican National Convention. Former Senate Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist and Michael Gerson (former senior politics editor at U.S. News & World Report, President George W. Bush’s policy and strategic planning assistant 2005/6, current senior fellow on the Council of Foreign Relations) reflect on the success of PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) & recognize global health policy as “a currency for peace” and a key “soft diplomacy” tactic. Danice Crawford obtained exclusive complete coverage of these discussions for independent media.

Ryan Kennedy’s Thoughts during Peace Rally at 2008 Republican National Convention

St. Paul resident Ryan Kennedy reflects on freedom of speech, radical opinions vs. functional government and the link between new web-based media and free society with Danice Crawford on the Minnesota Capitol lawn while the Peace Protest speeches rage on in the background during the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Young Republican Volunteers in Minneapolis during the RNC

Andrea and Casey, volunteering outside of the Minneapolis Convention Center’s Civic Fest during the 2008 Republican National Convention, share their thoughts with Danice Crawford on civic engagement and youth in America.