Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha has been protesting immigration issues in Arizona since long before the state’s government passed its über-controversial SB 1070 immigration law, but now he has a few famous friends along for the ride. Citing the infamous mid-1950s Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott inspired by Rosa Parks during the civil rights movement, the rock singer/activist has recruited 19 other well-known musical acts (plus Michael Moore) for a boycott of the state, aptly dubbed the Sound Strike. In a statement to the press (via Pitchfork), Sound Strike laid out the importance of their cause:
Fans of our music, our stories, our films and our words can be pulled over and harassed every day because they are brown or black, or for the way they speak, or for the music they listen to…This law opens the door for them to be shaked down, or even worse, detained and deported while just trying to travel home from school, from home to work, or when they just roll out with their friends.
Among the 19 acts currently on board (there’s a sign-up form for new bands to join) are Bright Eyes/Monsters of Folk singer Conor Oberst, the great Sonic Youth, Kanye West, Massive Attack, RATM of course, Spank Rock, Tenacious D, and a dozen others.
For more info, or to sign your band up for the boycott, go here.