Occupy Wall Street Anniversary Concert @ Foley Square, NYC – 9.16.12

They’re back! Occupy Wall Street returned to Manhattan this weekend for a celebration of the one year anniversary of OWS and thousands turned up for a free concert in New York City’s Foley Square yesterday. There were signs, crazies, dancing, spoken word, music from Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, Kool A.D. from Das Racist, Chad from Dispatch, Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth, Chapin Family and many others!

I loved covering Occupy Wall Street last year when they were down in Zucotti Park. I stopped shooting it last year because it was only matter of time before the police & Bloomberg would kick them out of the park and they did so few weeks after I last went there. Now they are back and are trying to re-take back the streets and try to shut down Wall Street. Just have that whole pesky police problem they have to deal with.

The concert was held at Foley Square, across from the Court House and Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys MCed the day. It felt like a spoken word concert of his because he was probably up there the most out of everyday. He was one reason why I wanted to go there, another was to see Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine/ The Nightwatchman perform. I’ll have Tom’s performance in another post. Jello sang A cappella versions of “Shock-u-py,” “Let’s Lynch The Landlord” and an updated version of “Love Me, I’m Liberal.” I particularly liked “Love Me, I’m Liberal.”

Starting things off were Occupy Guitarmy and Raging Grannies, which were um interesting haha. Chad Stokes of Dispatch and State Radio performed a few tracks, which were actually good. Comedian, writer, activist Lee Camp gave a funny performance that many Occupiers enjoyed. Occupy the Hood sang a few songs, as well as Michelle Shocked.

Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth performed at least 2 songs, which were LOUD. I guess you can expect that from a member of Sonic Youth. I had to jam some tissues in my ears since I was sitting right near the speakers. Kool A.D. from Das Racist performed (or talked rap) one song that felt like it lasted forever. I don’t get Das Racist and it’s talkie hip-hop. I just think it’s boring and I simply don’t get the appeal. Harry Chapin’s family The Chapin Sisters and Tom Chapin performed a couple of songs and then Rebel Diaz played. Seems like a lot of people were there for Rebel Diaz and they gave an energized performance.

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Tags: anniversary concert, Chad Stokes, Chapin Sisters, Dead Kennedys, Dispatch, foley square, Jello Biafra, Jimmy McMillan, Kool A.D., Kool A.D. from Das Racist, Lee Ranaldo, manhattan, new york city, nyc, Occupy, Occupy Wall Street, ows, protest, protesters, Rebel Diaz, Sonic Youth, The Rent Is Too Damn High, Tom Chapin, Vermin Supreme