PJ Harvey, M.I.A., Silver Jews, Tom Morello, Thurston Moore, Others Rally Support for Edward Snowden

A group of musicians, actors, artists, and activists have signed a public statement in support of Edward Snowden and other whistleblowers, in association with the Courage Foundation.

The list includes PJ Harvey, M.I.A., Thurston Moore, David Berman of Silver Jews, Tom Morello, Pavement’s Bob Nastanovich, Moby, and Calle 13, among other artists and activists like Noam Chomsky, Vivienne Westwood, Russell Brand, Alfonso Cuaròn, Susan Sarandon, and Pamela Anderson. The artists are hoping to raise awareness of Snowden’s legal situation and encourage people to donate to the Courage Foundation, which is handling his defense fund. They’re also encouraging people to watch CitizenFour, Laura Poitras’s new documentary film about Snowden.

The statement reads:

We stand in support of those fearless whistleblowers and publishers who risk their lives and careers to stand up for truth and justice. Thanks to the courage of sources like Daniel Ellsberg, Chelsea Manning, Jeremy Hammond, and Edward Snowden, the public can finally see for themselves the war crimes, corruption, mass surveillance, and abuses of power of the U.S. government and other governments around the world. WikiLeaks is essential for its fearless dedication in defending these sources and publishing their truths. These bold and courageous acts spark accountability, can transform governments, and ultimately make the world a better place.
 
In addition to urging the public to stand in solidarity with Snowden and other whistleblowers, many of the artists are calling on fans to watch CitizenFour, and are raising awareness of the Courage Foundation’s whistleblower defense efforts, which fundraises for the legal and public defense of whistleblowers and campaigns for the protection of truthtellers and the public’s right to know generally.

Tom Morello also made a statement in a press release:

Those courageous enough to expose the crimes of government and unmask corruption embody the spirit of democracy and justice. Rather than being celebrated as the truth-tellers and champions of accountability that they are, they are persecuted and find themselves the target of a draconian legal system that punishes them for the act of exposing crimes.

Watch the trailer for CitizenFour:

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