Photos by Stephanie Snyder
Internationally recognized reggae rock artist Manu Chao demonstrated his support for Arizona human rights organizations with a free concert Wednesday night in downtown Phoenix.
The concert was part of “Festival de Resistencia,” or “Festival of Resistance,” which was hosted by Tonatierra, a human rights group representing indigenous peoples, at a lot near First Avenue and Grant Street.
“This is about human rights, that’s our message,” Tonatierra volunteer Anayanse Garza said.
Tonatierra representatives said they also held the event to specifically raise awareness of the injustices associated with Senate Bill 1070.
“This is an opportunity to reach out to a larger audience, thanks to Chao, and raise awareness against the human rights violations happening with SB 1070,” Tonatierra organizer Tupac Enrique Acosta said.
Several other Phoenix-based human rights advocacy groups attended the event and spoke to the crowd of thousands before Chao performed.
“When someone dies crossing the border, it’s not an accident,” said Hannah Hafter, a volunteer for No More Deaths.
No More Deaths is a humanitarian organization that provides aid to migrants crossing the desert, supplies injured people who are deported to Mexico with medical aid and reports abuse committed by border patrol agents.
“This isn’t a series of isolated incidents, it’s a broader issue that is institutionalized,” Hafter said.
As many speakers made statements against SB 1070, chants broke out against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Gov. Jan Brewer from members of the crowd, many who were holding large handwritten signs.
Maricopa County District 5 Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox also spoke out against Arpaio and accused him of having political motives, after she was indicted on 36 felony counts by the county attorney after publicly speaking negatively about Arpaio.
“This festival and organization is the first line of defense to organize our community,” Wilcox said.
After a couple hours of performances and speeches by representatives of various human rights organizations, Chao took the stage and performed for more than an hour and a half.
Chao’s performance was energetic and engaging, with many of his songs directly related to immigration and human rights issues.
“One day my dreams will be reality,” Chao sang.
Contact the reporter at ealopez7@asu.edu
