Iraq 'n' Roll

Remember how Live 8 eradicated starvation and poverty in Africa? Well, our boys and girls overseas better start packing up their gear, because the anti-war movement has an impending activism concert of its own.

As part of a large anti-war mobilization in DC between September 23rd – 26th, “Operation Ceasefire” will bring several music acts to the mall, including Thievery Corporation, Le Tigre, Anti-Flag, Bouncing Souls, and Head Roc, most likely with more to be announced later. For those of you who missed them last month at the 9:30 Club, this will be a great opportunity to catch Thievery Corporation, as the National Mall isn't a venue that is in danger of a sell out.

Operation Ceasefire is holding an official press conference today at noon at the National Press Club, which will yield more information and hopefully some additional acts as well. The concert is scheduled to begin on September 24th at 6:00 pm and end around 1:00 am that night. The concert is of course free, although a live CD and DVD are being planned, with proceeds going to United for Peace and Justice and the D.C. Anti-War Network.

While the prospect of being able to catch some free music may excite you more than the principles behind the concert itself, those dissident readers out there will be glad to hear that the weekend will include more than just singing. As the SeptemberACTION Collective describes it, “anti-war, global justice, anti-torture people-powered driven mobilization.” You may support our president, you may support our presence in Iraq, hell, you may even be pro-torture, but it’s hard to disagree with something as ambiguously warm and fuzzy sounding as “global justice.” A complete list of planned events can be found here. Pro-war music enthusiasts are free to infiltrate, although your safety can’t be guaranteed if you walk in wearing your “Everyone Loves A Conservative Girl” t-shirt.

(AP Photo taken by Anja Niedringhaus)