What is Thousand Kites ?
Thousand Kites is a national dialogue project addressing the criminal justice system. By being involved with Kites you will become part of a national movement to use the power of art to reform our criminal justice system and to talk about human rights in the United States. Using video, theater, radio, and the web as tools, you can bring people together to support organizing efforts and share experiences with the criminal justice system.

There are many ways to get involved . For instance, you can hold a Kites film screening and panel discussion, or use our play to start a good conversation around restorative justice. Individuals and groups at the local, state, and national level are finding Kites a powerful way to work for positive social change.

A Little History
What would you do if you learned human rights violations were occurring right in your own community?

In 1998, when Nick and Amelia were volunteer DJs at WMMT, a community radio station in Whitesburg, KY, we received hundreds of letters describing human rights violations in newly-opened local prisons. We responded with an art project called "Holler to the Hood," addressing human rights abuses in the U.S. criminal justice system.

One of the first things we did was produce a radio program bringing the voices of prisoners' families to the airwaves. Broadcasting stories and messages from families and loved ones helped everyone understand who was in our region's prisons. The show is now broadcast weekly (click the button on the left to listen now). A special annual holiday broadcast airs on more than 120 stations around the country. We also brought hip-hop together with mountain music (hill-hop), organized story circles, and produced cultural events inviting people to share their experience with the criminal justice system.

Building on these projects, we began working with other artists and community activists around the country to create Thousand Kites.

How can you get involved?
Getting involved with Thousand Kites is easy. Click here to learn how.

Peace,
Thousand Kites Team