Artist News

Zack continues to rage against new Arizona immigration law

By | Published on Tuesday 29 June 2010

Rage Against The Machine’s Zack de la Rocha has told Billboard that some special concerts are being planned as part of the Sound Strike campaign against new immigration laws that are about to be introduced in the US state of Arizona.

As previously reported, a number of bands have joined RATM in boycotting the state on any upcoming touring activity in protest at the new laws which, amongst other things, will give police more powers to stop anyone they suspect as not being a US national and to demand to see paperwork that proves their right to stay or such like. Critics say the new rules will result in a new era of racial profiling and in non-Whites being harassed by law enforcement officials.

The special concerts will put more pressure on the state government of Arizona, but also offer music fans who live there who oppose the new laws the opportunity to enjoy some of the acts boycotting other gigs in the state. I think the idea is the concerts will take place just outside the state, but tickets will be sold via agents within the state boundary. Though specifics like that aren’t entirely clear as yet.

De la Rocha told Billboard yesterday: “In the coming weeks we are going to be organising a series of concerts that are respectful of the nature of the boycott in its attempts to isolate the Arizona government but not isolate the people, and especially the organisations that are fighting this on the ground. Many of us have begun to plan concerts that include bands that have signed on the Sound Strike, and make tickets available so that people within Arizona can come and see these concerts as they roll out. These are things that are being set into motion right now – a series of concerts or maybe even one giant concert in late July”.

Other artists signed up to the Sound Strike so far include: Cypress Hill, Conor Oberst, Kanye West,
Maroon 5, Gogol Bordello, My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper, Pitbull, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg and Throwing Muses.



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