Rise Against

Demand A Plan To End Gun Violence

Posted by TeamIGA

The tragedy in Newtown has sparked a much needed dialogue about safety in America. While some shrug their shoulders and claim there is no solution, Rise Against knows from touring the world for the last 12 years that countries with comprehensive mental health programs and responsible gun laws are not afflicted with the gun violence statistics that plague America. Not only do solutions exist, but there are already examples and evidence readily available if we peer outside our own border.

We encourage you to join us and Demand A Plan ( www.demandaplan.org). We believe its common sense to require a criminal and mental background check for every gun sold, to outlaw the sale of weapons that are strictly for military use and have no useful purpose in sport hunting or self defense, to ban high capacity magazine clips, and to make gun trafficking a federal crime. Don't let Newtown fade into memory without demanding sensible and meaningful action that could potentially alter our future for the better.

New Pussy Riot Video

Posted by TeamRiseAgainst

The punk band Pussy Riot has sentenced to 2 years in prison for hooliganism. We're not sure what hooliganism is but we demand more of it, immediately.

 Then check out Kathleen Hanna's (feminist icon and member of the Bikini Kill/Le Tigre) thoughts on why we are all Pussy Riot. 

NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL: Victories in Immigration Reform!

Posted by TeamRiseAgainst

As Rise Against prepares for our return to Arizona and our FLORENCE PROJECT benefit show, we are excited to see these two specific efforts to finally start pushing for meaningful immigration reform in America. 

 We recognize the halting of DREAMERS deportations as a victory and a step in the right direction. The Dept. of Homeland Security issued a directive under which individuals who demonstrate that they meet the following criteria will be eligible for deferred action on a case-by-case basis:

1.) Came to the United States when they were younger than 16;

2.) Have continuously resided in the United States for a least five years and are present in the United States today;

3.) Are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;

4.) Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety; and

5.) Are not older than age 30.

This will make a tremendous difference in the lives of families all across the country.

Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2012/06/18/stopping-dreamers-deportations/#ixzz1zZjXQjlQ


Then, last Monday the Supreme Court struck down the majority of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law. The 5-3 ruling rejects many of the provisions within SB1070, deeming them unconstitutional.
 

Activism Is Not Terrorism

Posted by TeamRiseAgainst

"We scream for change and all they hear is treason." -Rise Against (Behind Closed Doors)

Our parents generation weathered dark days during the Red Scare, when Communism was the convenient label you put on those you disagreed with in order to persecute them.  As more stories like the two below surface, it appears our generation will be tasked with weathering the Green Scare: the government attempts to redefine environmentalists and activists as terrorists. 

FBI Domestic Training Targets Environmentalists 

Rolling Stone: How FBI Entrapment is Inventing Terrorists and Letting The Bad Guys Off The Hook

How Did Wisconsin Become the Most Politically Divisive Place In America?

Posted by TeamRiseAgainst

The right wing is out to dismantle unions in Wisconsin because by doing so they can also dismantle any competition in future elections. As a puppet for corporations and wealthy out-of-state donors, Scott Walker is out to balance the budget on the backs of the working class. Don't fall for the bait WI. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/magazine/how-did-wisconsin-become-the-most-politically-divisive-place-in-america.html?pagewanted=all

MAKE IT STOP: Homophobic Battlegrounds of the World

Posted by TeamIGA

We wrote the song Make It Stop (September's Children) to address a wave of gay teen suicides in America and to address homophobic behavior and bullying in our scene. The story continues on our recent trip to Russia where we learned about anti-gay legislation in St. Petersburg. Recently passed laws aim to punish same-sex relations and make life even harder for the gay community in Russia. 

Meanwhile, in Iraq, the bodies of at least 14 young men (and more likely many more) perceived to be gay or "emo" (shorthand in iraq for tight jeans or more Western style of dress) have been found, murdered by anti-gay extemists. In a story reminiscent of Mexico City last year, we are reminded that the battle for equal rights and the story behind Make It Stop continues...

VICTORY: In the USA, we applaud the recent reversal of Prop 8 in California, the snowball effect that has legalized gay marriage in seven states now, and this Minnesota school finally addressing it's neutrality policy when it comes to the gay community. Make It Stop !

Playing Dirty: Voter Suppression in 2011

Posted by TeamIGA

Check out this video to see how the right wing plans to win the next election. If you can't win playing fair, try cheating. American fought hard for voter rights, stripping them back flys in the face of that progress. 

DISPARITY BY DESIGN-PART 2: The Occupation Continues Worldwide

Posted by TeamIGA

The Occupy movement remains organic, non-violent, and growing worldwide. Events are happening daily from Los Angeles to London and beyond. It continues to create a dialogue, here's four highlights from that dialogue:

1) Graffiti artist Saber creates an unofficial Occupy Flag. 

DISPARITY BY DESIGN; OCCUPY WALL ST.

Posted by TeamIGA

As the Occupy Wall St. numbers multiply and their voice becomes louder, the American people are finally starting to have a long overdue conversation about our broken financial system and its often too close and comfortable relationship with a goverment that is supposed to be keeping them in check. Wondering what its all about ? Here are some recent, quick highlights of this growing conversation:

-In less than a minute @AlanGrayson explains what #occupywallstreet is all about: http://bit.ly/qnStPf

-Author Naomi Klein speaks to Rachel Maddow about Occupy Wall St  

-Tom Morello: The Nighwatchman visits and plays for the protesters.

-Matt Taibbi talks about how the OCCUPY movement can be " better and more dangerous. "

-October 15th is an international day of action, and there is an OCCUPY movement happening near you, find it here: http://15october.net/

I Am Troy Davis

Posted by TeamIGA