Action Alert

The next action regarding the anti gay music campaign will be held tomorrow, Friday the 31st at 7pm. The event being protested is "On Da Reggae Tip" at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Meet on the south side of 34th street at the intersection of 8th ave (in front of the Lowe's movie theatre). The action will be mostly flyering and will last for about an hour.

Media Pays Attention

Here is the media coverage of the protest at Randalls Island on August 25th.

SAVE THE DATE!

We, along with many other queer organizations around the city, will be having a protest on Randalls Island, August 25th at 6pm to let our resistance against music that promotes violence be known.

Details to come in the next week.

(If anyone would like to join us in planning this action we are having a working group meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 21st at 7pm at GMAD located at 103 E. 125th St, Suite 503)

Check out our Flickr

www.flickr.com/photos/queerjusticeleague/

Specific Action Steps for Caribfest Protest

Two Jamaican singers, Bounty Killa and Buju Banton, whose songs urge people to kill gays, are scheduled to perform at CaribFest on Randall's Island (which is on NYC Parks property) on Saturday, August 25th.

http://www.reggaecarifest.com

Bounty Killa has refused to sign the Reggae Compassionate Act (below), a simple statement that he will no longer perform songs that incite violence. Buju Banton, who has signed it, is now denying he did.

We need to get these two performers removed from the concert unless they agree to sign the RCA and publicly say they have done so. Merely promising to not perform the songs at this particular event is not enough - they must agree to never perform them again. As you may know, a number of gays have been murdered recently in Jamaica and this kind of hate music certainly played a part.

Please call NYC Council Speaker Chris Quinn and urge her to get these artists off the bill: 212-788-7210

If we can't get them off the bill, please plan to come to Randall's Island on the 25th to protest murder music! Details to follow.

Concert promoters include:

Team Legendary (Alfonso Brooks) 718-856-3336

Baylo Entertainment
http://bayloent.com

Live Nation
http://www.livenation.com

Samples of his BK's lyrics:

Bun a fire pon a puff and mister fagoty
(Burn a fire on puffs and faggots)

Poop man fi drown an dat a yawd man philosophy
(Shit men [gay men] must be drowned and that's a yardy man [Jamaican]
philosophy)

You know we need no promo to rub out dem homo
(You know we don’t need a prom to rub out a [kill] homo)

Mi ready fi go wipe out this fag wid pure laser beam
(I’m ready to wipe out this faggot with a pure laser beam)

Bounty Killa has released a song “Dat Ah True,” saying he won't "bow" to "faggots and
maggots."

Buju Banton lyrics:

World is in trouble
Anytime Buju Banton come
Batty boy (fag) get up an run
At gunshot me head back
Hear I tell him now crew

(Its like) Boom bye bye
Inna batty boy head
Rude boy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead
Boom bye bye
Inna batty boy head
Rude boy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead

The Reggae Compassionate Act

We, the artists of the Reggae community, hereby present this letter as a symbol of our dedication to the guiding principles of Reggae’s enduring foundation ONE LOVE. Throughout time, Reggae has been recognized as a healing remedy and an agent of positive social change.
We will continue this proud and righteous tradition.

Reggae Artists and their music have fought against injustices, inequalities, poverty and violence even while enduring some of those same circumstances themselves. Over the years, reggae music has become popularized and enjoyed by an unprecedented audience all over the world. Artists of the Reggae Community respect and uphold the rights of all individuals to live without fear of hatred and violence due to their religion, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or gender.

While we recognize that our artistic community comprises many different individuals who express themselves in different ways and hold a myriad of beliefs, we believe firmly that the way forward lies in tolerance. Everyone can keep his own conviction and we must receive respect for our freedom of speech as far as we respect the law, but it must be clear there’s no space in the music community for hatred and prejudice, including no place for racism, violence, sexism or homophobia. We do not encourage nor minister to HATE but rather uphold a philosophy of LOVE, RESPECT and UNDERSTANDING towards all human beings as the cornerstone of reggae music.

This Compassionate Act is hereby calling on a return to the following principles as the guiding vision for the future of a healthy Reggae music community: Positive Vibrations, Consciousness raising, Social and Civic Engagement, Democracy and Freedom, Peace and Non-Violence, Mother Nature, Equal Rights and Justice, One Love, Individual Rights, Humanity, Tolerance and Understanding

We, as artists, are committed to a holistic and healthy existence in the world, and to respect to the utmost the human and natural world. We pledge that our music will continue to contribute positively to the world dialogue on peace, respect and justice for all.

To this end, we agree to not make statements or perform songs that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community. ONE LOVE

DOUBLE ACTION ALERT- Stepping it up at Caliente!

We have had great success in clearing out parts of the restaurant while we are there picketing. And now we're turning up the heat on their tacos!

Picketing at Caliente (7th and Bleecker) will occur SUNDAY(8/19) 1-2pm AND THURSDAY (8/16) 6:30-7:30. Meet a few minutes beforehand across 7th Avenue.

ACTION ALERT-Caliente AGAIN!

We will be out at Caliente again this Sunday, August 5th at 1pm. Bring noise makers and your passion!