Radiohead, Green Day, Sia, Death Cab, More Sign Standing Rock Letter to Obama
Kate Nash has recruited over 120 musicians to sign an open letter she wrote to President Obama, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Justice regarding recent law enforcement actions against the Dakota Access Pipeline protestors at Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota, as Noisey reports. Signees include Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Sia, Lykke Li, Kathleen Hanna, Karen O, Vic Mensa, Sky Ferreira, Hayley Williams of Paramore, Sleigh Bells, Jack Antonoff, Tegan and Sara, Ben Gibbard, Pussy Riot, Santigold, Moby, Liz Phair, Mark Ronson, Deerhoof, Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, Alice Glass, Against Me!, Shirley Manson, and many more. You can can read the entire letter, and find the full list, at Noisey.
The letter says that the police actions against the protestors are akin to “inhumane methods used during WWII and the Civil Rights Movement”:
We are deeply disturbed by the police actions that have been taking place, where non violent protests have been and continue to be met with extremely aggressive tactics including; being shot with water canons in below freezing temperatures, chemical weapons, rubber bullets, and attack dogs. These are the same inhumane methods used during WWII and the Civil Rights Movement.
Citing the “current political climate,” they write, “that those in power must be held accountable for their actions.” The letter concludes with an acknowledgement of the United States’ “long and painful history” with “its indigenous people”:
We are aware of the long and painful history between the US and its indigenous people. Know that the world’s eyes and the eyes of the music community are on you now as you continue to disregard the treaties you have with the Native American people and act barbarically towards them.
You can can read the entire letter at Noisey.
I wrote a letter, signed by 120+ musicians, requesting that @BarackObama end the violence https://t.co/LOUwr6VYPs #StandWithStandingRock
— Kate Nash (@katenash) December 2, 2016
Earlier this month, Vic Mensa joined the protestors at Standing Rock. Neil Young also shared a lengthy statement on Facebook that addressed the protests. In November, Young performed at Standing Rock on his 71st birthday.
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