Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine has played a set at the Occupy Wall Street demonstration in Manhattan, New York City.
Appearing in his Nightwatchman guise yesterday (October 13), the politically minded guitarist – who appeared at the Occupy Los Angeles demonstration last week – played a number of acoustic tracks and led the protestors in a singalong to Woody Guthrie’s "This Land Is Your Land". Scroll down to watch fan-shot footage of the performance.
Morello also spoke to the crowd about the "1,300 cities and towns" which are now taking part in similar anti-corporate protests across the world.
Kanye West visited the Occupy Wall Street protests alongside Russell Simmons, the co-founder of record label Def Jam earlier this week. Visiting the Zuccotti Park camp on October 10, the hip-hop star walked through the crowds, but did not take the opportunity to perform a set for the protestors, unlike Talib Kweli and Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel, who have both visited the Manhattan camp and played impromptu gigs.
After their visit, Simmons tweeted: "I just walked @kanyewest through the #occupywallstreet. I love how sweet and tolerant he was to the crowd."
They already did about 10 years ago when they were making the Sleep Now In The Fire video. And that seemed to be more effective than this current protest.
RoboHendrix wrote:
It's amazing to finally see these things happening.
I'm occupying Johannesburg tomorrow.
Really? Good luck with that. Doesn't the government employ brutal gangs as security forces in Johannesburg?
"First of all, when you pick up a guitar you don't put down your first amendment rights. I don't think you have to be a Harvard graduate of political science to comment on political matters, but I'm a Harvard graduate in political science."
An educated man who's not corrupted by the media and corporate america. A very refreshing and needed voice.
There can be no clearer distinction between two people. Tom Morello plays music to help people feel hopeful and empowered and open their eyes to the world. Kayne just encourages us to keep buying into the same system that got our world in the crapper. Preach it Tom!!!
"First of all, when you pick up a guitar you don't put down your first amendment rights. I don't think you have to be a Harvard graduate of political science to comment on political matters, but I'm a Harvard graduate in political science."
An educated man who's not corrupted by the media and corporate america. A very refreshing and needed voice.
I feel like this is much better than tossing Rage Against the Machine into the street, where riots and damage would be inevitable. This way, people make their point and have a much greater chance at changing anything. The government won't work with a bunch of barbaric savages, but they might with a level-headed, yet frustrated, Nightwatchman crowd.
Tom is this generations answer to Billy Bragg, Joe Hill, and Phil Ochs
Woody would be proud to have his song played PROPERLY at OS by The Nightwatchman
You've got to respect Tom - he could be filthy rich if he wanted to, but instead he donates most of his profits to charity and performs at events like this because he is passionate about the cause. He wants nothing in return. He just wants to make the world a better place.
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