As you might know, the 2008 Republican National Convention is being hosted in St. Paul, MN. In addition to the $160 million or so boost that comes with this decidedly hyper-capitalist venture, $50 million is spent on "increased security." In such a volatile political climate, this nearly blank check for added security manifests in a whole lot of arrests, tear gas, and essentially an occupation by state police. But where there's power, there's dissent, and it is in this spirit that protesters and rallies reach their symbolic, ritualistic significance.
Enter Rage Against the Machine. As we recently reported, Rage Against the Machine is scheduled to play the Target Center tonight in Minneapolis, MN to coincide with the RNC. But in a surprise move, Rage announced yesterday that they were going to make a special guest appearance at the free concert Ripple Effect on the state capitol lawn, which included performances by Dead Prez, Anti-Flag, and Michael Franti. But things didn't go as planned. According to Above The Fold, a Minneapolis-based blog:
But when it came time for the band to perform, the Minnesota State Police formed a barricade around the band and would not let them on stage. After 20 minutes of crowd chanting that included "Let Them Play," "Music is not a Crime," "We'll be good, we promise," and a riveting rendition of the national anthem the band came into the crowd and performed an acapella performance of two songs.
Check out Above the Fold's amazing footage:
[Visit full site to view media]
According to an eyewitness report, the permit for the concert was set to last until 7 PM, and the last band (Anti-Flag) had finished their set at 6:15 - 6:30 PM. So why were they not allowed to play? Apparently, RATM were not named on the permit. So, if Cloud Cult had been the surprise guest, they'd barricade them too? Whatever. Despite chants from the crowd (including a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner"), the plug was officially pulled on the concert, and Rage led a march that eventually joined with the Poor People's March through the St. Paul streets.