'Rage' to Play at Convention Protest
Aug. 14 -- Is the Democratic convention a political tradition — or a five-day concert?
While Barbra Streisand is expected to be singing at the Democratic convention hall, politically charged rock band Rage Against the Machine will be outside.
The raucous four-piece band, whose music is a fusion of hard-hitting rock and rap, will unload its stage and sound-gear in the fenced-off protest zone outside the Staples Center. The group’s set will feature music from their latest album, aptly called “Battle of Los Angeles.”
Rage has been known to follow up its fierce, political lyrics with action. The group has protested other issues, such as the death sentence for convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal, the war against drugs, and the oppression of Tibetans.
This time, band members are using their voices and instruments as an effort to drone out the speech of President Clinton, as well as fight against the two-party system, and political party spending excesses.
The band’s performance will coincide with a 6:15 p.m. PT rally organized by the Mobilization to Protest the Democratic National Convention 2000, otherwise known as DK2LA. Other speakers and performers at the rally include civil rights leader Rev. James M. Lawson Jr., sweatshop rights activist Chie Abad, former death row inmate Darby Tillis (acquitted and released after nine years in an Illinois prison), United Farm Workers Labor Leader Doloros Huerta, and Ozo Matli.
Security Headaches?
The Los Angeles Police Department said it’s concerned about security because of the large crowd the event probably will draw.
However, the LAPD is not planning to add more officers than those already scheduled to work the area. The officer in charge of convention security saysits approach will be to “wait, watch and then react.”
According to the D2KLA Web site, all participants in the protests have been asked to not use any physical or verbal violence toward any person, not to carry any weapons, not destroy any property, and to refrain from bringing alcohol or drugs to the event.
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