This has been a great day. It's exciting for WITNESS staff
to see first hand how people react to hearing about the work WITNESS and
WITNESS partners are doing. There is a real sense of gratitude from the people
passing by, and a real interest in getting involved.
I spoke on a panel about Arts and Activism yesterday with
Marc Ross of Rock the Earth, Marc Brownstein of the band Disco Biscuits (and
co-chair of Headcount), Tania Elizabeth of the Grammy nominated band The Duhks,
Jennifer Fahy of Farm Aid and a few others. There were some interesting questions
being raised, in particular - do artists have an obligation to use their
platform for change? I don't know about you, but I don't think artists have
more of an obligation then any one of us. We all live together on this planet,
so it's up to each of us to do what we can, if we can, and if that is what we
choose to do. It's great to be in the
company of folks who are spending their time that way, but we're each our own
people.
There was also lots of great music to be heard. A highlight
being Stephen Marley on the main stage, and his version of No Woman, No Cry. Swell
Season was an unexpected favorite. Glen Hansard and Marketa (Swell Season) were the stars of the film, "Once"
and won an Oscar for best song from a soundtrack earlier this year. Chatting
with Glen briefly after the show, it's clear that he's interested in human
rights and hopefully will get involved with WITNESS in the future.
Rilo Kiley rocked the Roo. It was good to see them, as they are
old friends from back when they would couch surf when they passed through NYC.
And then there was the great Willie Nelson! No words. And
the day was topped off with M.I.A.
All in all, a jam packed day (no pun intended).
The rain started at about 9 PM and has yet to stop.
Cheers for now.
Becky and Team W