In the wake of Arizona’s controversial immigration reform law, many musicians have pledged to boycott Arizona music venues and drop dates from their tours, seeking to have the law removed and prevent future laws like it from coming into existence. But the Sound Strike, as they have deemed their movement, has one large flaw in its motive for change.
A full halt of concerts in any Arizona location removes the ideal forum for communicating their views. By hosting protest concerts and rallies outside of the state, like the July 23 Rage Against the Machine show, in order to raise national awareness on the growing controversy surrounding the law.
Although I do not disagree with the message and intent of the Sound Strike, the proper target audience is Arizona residents. When voters for this bill are excluded from hearing the message, it creates a two-dimensional view of the situation and unfairly groups Arizonans who are against SB 1070 with those who support the bill.
It creates an unrealistic opinion of Arizonans, and, by excluding the population of Arizona from partaking in protest events, the Sound Strike artists distance themselves from the only voting population who can actually make the difference in the polls to see that SB 1070 is abolished.
Some Arizona musicians and non-native Arizona bands have chosen not to support the Sound Strike, choosing instead to join Viva Arizona’s Artists for Action movement. The movement is politically like-minded to the Sound Strike, but is choosing to embrace its fans and voters in Arizona. Most recently, Tucson-based Calexico headlined a free voter-registration concert at the Marquee Theatre Aug. 27. Calexico front man Joey Burns was quoted by website somuchsilence.com, “This will be a great way to get people in the Phoenix area excited about voting this fall and educated about the immigration issues facing Arizona today.”
The concert was more than just an artistic endeavor, or a rant by musicians who want to have their voices heard. It involved representatives from anti-SB 1070 organizations such as, Border Action Network, and politicians such as Arizona governor candidate Terry Goddard speaking in between bands. Artists for Action is truly seeking to enact change and they are taking the appropriate steps to be taken seriously. At the concert 1,052 voting pledges were obtained, along with 31 permanent early voter forms and 81 new voter registrations. Although the music made the event attractive and exciting, it’s obvious their message is bigger than just the promotion of music.
In order to enact change, we need to rally and gain support from those nearest the issue. Jim Adkins, of Jimmy Eat World, is quoted on the Artist for Action website, “What Arizona needs now is support…to help bring like-minded-progressive voices back to Arizona.” This is exactly what needs to take place if any sort of change is going to come to light. We need to educate ourselves and put ourselves in a position to make a change. It is exponentially uplifting to see a group of artists who are not only voicing their opinions on the subject of immigration reform, but who are willing to reach out and support the Arizona fans who can help facilitate that opinion.
Reach Andrew at agwaterh@asu.edu
