Chicano Music Group Boycotts Israel Consulate Concert
Quetzal, an East Los Angeles-based group, turned down an invitation to perform at a May 17 concert (“Fiesta Shalom” – seriously) designed to improve Latino-Jewish relations because it was sponsored by the Israeli consulate. The band issued the following statement.
To Whom It May Concern:Quetzal will not be performing at the Fiesta Shalom on May 17th. When first presented with this performance, it was presented as “an opportunity to improve Jewish and Chicano relations”, which we are certainly in accordance with. When we received the contract, we noticed it was sponsored by the Israeli Consulate. For Quetzal to perform for the Israeli Consulate would mean that we ignore the following:
• Decades of zionist occupation of Palestinian lands and the historically ironic holocaustic genocide of the Palestinian people
• The Israeli/US relationship that has permitted the creation of “permanent” war against people throughout the world.
• Decades of Chican@ solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle for Self-determination.
• Decades of solidarity with the non-zionist, non-imperialist peace-loving Jewish community.
• Over 500 years of genocide, enslavement, and abandonment of all people of color as well as poor whites including all the victims of the Jewish holocaust.
Quetzal is but a small part of a massive community of artists that is committed to using art as a tool to redefine and reconstruct our neighborhoods. We hope that elected officials (barrio pimps) such as Jose Huizar begin to see the light of accountability.
The letter included a link to their song, ‘Intifada’ (which is also on their MySpace page).
It seems the event organizers got the message after designing their tacky, extremely unhip poster.
The lyrics from the beautiful song are contained below.
INTIFADA
Intifada like my mother
Intifada like my brother
Blue Stars come crashing down
Refugees martyr bound
Zionist Marauders move in for the slaughter
Savage Holocaust of a starving Shanti-Gaza
Voices from below billow
Through clouds and desert echoes
Chorus
Palestine
We refuse to be blind
Memory will not let us
Savage Holocaust only strengthens Intifada
People ‘round the world gonna join this peace armada
Singing freedom’s song
Rise, Rise, Rise
Below and to the left
Chorus
[tarboush tip: QuiQui]
In another perspective, they should have played their song "Intifada" at the event.
Well, I know it is very comfy talking about HOT girls on Kebobfest; however, we have the little problem of a fascist stats (Israel/US) murdering at will all over the Middle East. Is it me or the number of fascist occupations are in the rise the in Middle East? —————– I invite you to come to Michigan Student Assembly tonight (Wed 13 May 2009, 3rd floor of the Michigan Union at 6:00 PM) and take a stand against Isreal. Demand serious action against the fascist State of Israel. Boycott movement is growing all over the world. Be a serious part of the Boycott Israel movement. Come to Michigan Student Assembly tonight (Wed 13 May 2009, 3rd floor of the Michigan Union at 6:00 PM,) and demand boycott of Israel at all U of M campuses.
arriba Quetzal and the Chicano community!
I know QUETZAL, they are believers of justice any where in the world. I respect their action. It's laudable. Javier Rodriguez March 25 Coalition
grateful you boycotted this event. emma rosenthal! in solidarity!
I join this group to protest it.
I suppose that Israel should just do nothing when rockets are endlessly launched against it?
They should not defend themselves, is that it?
Look, i do feel sorry for the suffering of the Palestinians as well as the Israeli citizens who must live with rocket attacks all the time.
Let the Palestinians throw out the rocket launching terrorists that hide in their midst, as they have brought nothing but trouble for them using them as human shields!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boycott Israel?!! No way. They get attacked in 1967 by Egypt, Jordan & Syria. Israel, in self defense, wins this war on 3 fronts. No small feat. This many years later they are told to stop settlements on land they won in a war. On land that they were attacked from. And Israel is the bad guy?!! What country gives up land they won in a war from neighbors bent on their destruction?!!!!!!!!!!!! And, since when do the losers of a war dictate terms?!!
PS: I love Chicanos!!! The music, the food, the spirit!! Viva el Mundo Latino
You rock. World needs more souls like you.