Today the Rebel Diaz Arts Collective hosted a massive May Day Freedom Festival at Union Square in NYC, where hundreds rallied together in protest against the passage of SB1070 in Arizona. People of all ages and backgrounds came together to hear music, speak out, and march the streets.
“The history of May Day is a date that commemorates the struggle of workers worldwide, and was brought to light by the Haymarket Affair martyrs in Chicago who fought and died for an 8 hr. day. In recent years it has been the date in which the Immigrant Rights movement has taken to the streets to fight for Immigrant and Workers Rights. It is especially important this year with the racist laws that were just passed in the state of Arizona. One of the laws passed, eliminated all ethnic studies programs at state and city colleges and the other one which gives regular cops the power of ICE officials. At RDAC BX we like to think that without Immigrants and Immigration, Hip Hop would not exist. From Kool Herc’s Jamaica influences in his booming sound system, to Greek grafitti artist Taki 183, to the Cuban and Puerto Rican bboys in Rocksteady Crew to Slick Rick from England. Therefore it is Hip Hop’s responsibility to defend Immigrant Rights. It is with this sentiment that we put on the show. This is not your everyday Hip Hop show. It is Hip Hop standing up and performing for a cause. To bring awareness to the struggle of day laborers, to those that pick our tomatoes and grapes, and those that clean the homes of the rich and raise their kids.”
-Rebel Diaz Arts Collective
Stay tuned for video coverage of the rally and march. What are your thoughts on immigration laws? Has your city or town organized any events? Send in your pictures!
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One Comment
I am shocked at how backwards we are moving as a country. How can AZ eliminate ethnic studies programs and why would they want to? Today AZ, tomorrow….. Why has the majority of us become so complacent? Guess “they” aren’t going to be satisfied until another 60’s & 70’s mentality occurs where the young people are going to get fed up and unable to take it anymore. You definitely captured the rally in photos. The pictures say it all, but there’s much more to be done. Who’s going to do it? And when? More questions than answers.
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