abstractmentality
30th August 2003, 23:58
I went to San Deigo last night for the Sherman Austin benefit show with two friends. The show was held at the Che Cafe on the campus of UCSD. This building is beautiful. It is covered with murals and surrounded by a foresty atmosphere. Eight dollars for a donation got each person in.
I walked into the patio area and saw a few tables set up, one with Free Sherman shirts and buttons, another with AK Press, another with books on the prison system, another on veganism with a laptop computer showing the process of meat preparation, etc.
On one side of the patio area is an enclosed room in which bands and hip-hop groups played all night. We got to hear the great sounds of many great artist.
One of the best things I saw all night was the solidarity evident in the building. All people were there helping eachother and came together for the cause. The people were so diverse: from the freestyling hajab wearing Muslim student, to the all asian Far East Movement hip hop group, the Mexican band Cuauhtemoc, to Onewordsolution. All of the pit helped eachother, picking up fallen people, and shaking hands inbetween songs. When a student with Elev8 did her poetry, the room was silent except for when clapping for a good line, of which their were many.
In between two acts Shermans mother spoke. She spoke wonderfully about the judge in the case, about what her intentions are on the case, and how we need to keep on with the struggle. Zack de la Rocha spoke near the end of the night. He spoke first on the specifics of Shermans case, then he read an excellent poem. After that, Sherman came to the mic and gave us all words of encouragment. Citing his judges saying that this case against Sherman is in order to stop future revolutionaries from organizing, he told the crowd that we must not stop. Once again, it was a great talk.
After this, I went to AKpress and picked up the book I bought (Orgasms of History: 3000 Years of Spontaneous Insurrection by Yves Fremion), watched some of the meat industry videos (which were telling of the meat and dairy industry for those who had never seen it before), helped pick up some trash, and left.
All in all, the night was succesful; enough money was raised for Sherman's legal fees. A great night of meeting and showing of support. Solidarity was shown despite the undercover cops that must have been present. Many more benefit shows are going to take place, so if you are in Southern California, I would highly recomend future events.
Raise the Fist (http://www.raisethefist.com)
Che Cafe @ UCSD (http://www.checafe.ucsd.edu)
I walked into the patio area and saw a few tables set up, one with Free Sherman shirts and buttons, another with AK Press, another with books on the prison system, another on veganism with a laptop computer showing the process of meat preparation, etc.
On one side of the patio area is an enclosed room in which bands and hip-hop groups played all night. We got to hear the great sounds of many great artist.
One of the best things I saw all night was the solidarity evident in the building. All people were there helping eachother and came together for the cause. The people were so diverse: from the freestyling hajab wearing Muslim student, to the all asian Far East Movement hip hop group, the Mexican band Cuauhtemoc, to Onewordsolution. All of the pit helped eachother, picking up fallen people, and shaking hands inbetween songs. When a student with Elev8 did her poetry, the room was silent except for when clapping for a good line, of which their were many.
In between two acts Shermans mother spoke. She spoke wonderfully about the judge in the case, about what her intentions are on the case, and how we need to keep on with the struggle. Zack de la Rocha spoke near the end of the night. He spoke first on the specifics of Shermans case, then he read an excellent poem. After that, Sherman came to the mic and gave us all words of encouragment. Citing his judges saying that this case against Sherman is in order to stop future revolutionaries from organizing, he told the crowd that we must not stop. Once again, it was a great talk.
After this, I went to AKpress and picked up the book I bought (Orgasms of History: 3000 Years of Spontaneous Insurrection by Yves Fremion), watched some of the meat industry videos (which were telling of the meat and dairy industry for those who had never seen it before), helped pick up some trash, and left.
All in all, the night was succesful; enough money was raised for Sherman's legal fees. A great night of meeting and showing of support. Solidarity was shown despite the undercover cops that must have been present. Many more benefit shows are going to take place, so if you are in Southern California, I would highly recomend future events.
Raise the Fist (http://www.raisethefist.com)
Che Cafe @ UCSD (http://www.checafe.ucsd.edu)