Talib Kweli Joins Tom Morello-Organized Tour Protesting Trans-Pacific Partnership
Tom Morello's tour protesting the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership has lined up rapper Talib Kweli for one of its stops.
Rapper and activist Talib Kweli will join the Seattle stop of Rock Against the TPP, an upcoming protest tour looking to halt the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the trade deal that organizers — including Tom Morello — call the “biggest corporate power grab in history.”
The free tour kicks off at Denver’s Summit Music Hall on July 23 with a lineup that includes Morello, Anti-Flag, Downtown Boys, Taina Asili and others. The protest continues a week later (July 30) in San Diego with performances by Las Cafeteras, Bonfire Madigan and others. On Aug. 19, Kweli will headline at the Showbox SoDo in Seattle alongside Asili and Bell’s Roar, and a day later the tour moves to Portland’s Director Park with a headliner to be named soon. A fifth stop, planned for Sept. 24, is being ironed out.
Tom Morello & Activist Friends Plot U.S. Tour to Protest Controversial Trade Agreement
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The project is a partnership between Internet freedom nonprofit Fight for the Future and Firebrand Records, a label founded by Morello and Ryan Harvey. The tour’s official site describes the TPP as an “anti-democratic deal between 12 countries that was negotiated in complete secrecy by government officials and hundreds of corporate lobbyists.” It cites alleged threats to the environment, good-paying jobs, Internet freedom and general freedom of expression.
“Working people everywhere have had enough,” said Morello in a statement. “The TPP is nothing short of a corporate takeover of our democracy. That’s why people are rising up to stop it. Corporate lobbyists want to sneak the TPP through Congress quietly; that means it’s time for us to get loud.”
Lost actress Evangeline Lilly will act as an emcee at all of the events, and help facilitate a teach-in associated with each of the concerts.
Rock Against the TPP Dates:
July 23: Denver (Summit Music Hall)
July 30: San Diego (Venue Pending)
Aug. 19: Seattle (Showbox SoDo)
Aug. 20: Portland (Director Park)
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