MUSICIANS
OCCUPY WALL STREET:
Saturday, October 15 –
Protests Worldwide + Party
Music has long been the soundtrack of protest: Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Mos Def, Rage Against the Machine, Saul Williams, Public Enemy, Tupac, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Dead Prez – the list of musicians fighting on behalf of the people goes on and on and on and on.
And in the past few weeks, musicians from all walks of life have signed on to support the #Occupy movement, standing in solidarity with the protesters on Wall Street and around the country who are demanding change. Above (and here), a few folks you may recognize – ?uesto, Moby, Kweli, Kanye, Russell, Bilal, Angelique Kidjo, and Gbenga Akinnagbe (from The Wire!) (and many more vids from others coming soon!) - are asking you to help support this movement that grows more powerful each day.
Yes, it’s a rare moment when a grass roots protest movement takes over the national – and international – conversation. And on Saturday, October 15th, over 858 cities in 78 different countries will host demonstrations – including, just FYI, more than just a few on the Bright Continent itself.
What do the protesters want? A more equitable world. For people to be valued over money and corporate interests. For the human race to halt their rampant destruction of the natural earth. Specifically, in the U.S., they want money to be separated from politics. They want leaders who are not owned by corporations, but instead fight for the people’s well-being and rights. They want a more equitable distribution of wealth. (For some seriously deep statistical legitimacy for the protesters’ complaints, check out this slideshow from Business Insider.)
For those of you here in the Okayafrica HQ city of New York, it’s our time to shine. On Saturday dozens of community groups, unions, student organizations and lots and lots of regular folk are taking to the streets in a mass protest – of tens of thousands – that will culminate in Times Square. In collaboration with a whole host of New York City’s movers and shakers, Okayplayer and Okayafrica will participate in the The Occupation Party as it rocks the protest with music, performance and a street party in support of the actions of Occupy Wall Street.
For those of you not in New York or unable to come out and protest – there are so many ways to help. They are enumerated here.
FIND FULL DETAILS FOR THE PARTY HERE. We hope to see you there…We are the tipping point.
__________________________
MUSICIANS
OCCUPY WALL STREET:
Kanye + Russell Work It Harder,
Make It Better
Video by Abraham Heisler.
Wall Street is the place to be. You never know who’s gonna show. Last week it was Kweli, and today Kanye and Russell Simmons – among thousands of like-minded citizens who believe in a more egalitarian world, of course – occupied Zuccotti Park (aka Liberty Plaza) in a show of solidarity with the 99%. Who knew the throne was in a park of hippies. Respect.
ALERT: Saturday is gonna be a VERY big day down here at the Occupation Party. So stay tuned (and sign up for our mailing list to be sure you get the RSVP link first).
Want to join the movement + help immediately? Here are some things you can do.
- Come down to Occupy Wall Street and protest. (Be sure to know your rights).
- Spread the word. Tweet and Facebook about what’s going on. For twitter, use #occupywallstreet.
- Entertain and encourage the protesters. Anyone can go down to Liberty Park and perform – however, only non-amplified sound is allowed by the police. There is a makeshift stage/podium area. If you need help or orientation, check in at the welcome center, located in Liberty Plaza.
- Send the protesters supplies at:
The UPS Store
Re: Occupy Wall Street
118A Fulton St. #205
New York, NY 10038
- Donate here.
- Order the protesters food. Directions are here.
- Join the movement in your area.
__________________________
TOM MORELLO
@ OCCUPY L.A. & NYC
>via: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5-sj6Vc2Z0&feature=related
__________________________
__________________________
Video:
Immortal Technique at
Occupy Wall Street.
Immortal Technique, hip-hop artist and political activist, came to support the Occupy Wall Street movement. RT's Marina Portnaya caught up with Immortal Technique to talk about the message behind the movement, the police brutality and media backlash it has caused, US politics, democracy, his new project "Martyr" and his upcoming tour.