Anti-war artists, musicians and activists marked the third anniversary of the United States-led invasion of Iraq with a concert to benefit groups campaigning against the war.
Musician Michael Stipe, actress Susan Sarandon and activist Cindy Sheehan were among the headliners at the ”Bring ‘Em Home Now!” concert to call for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
”The arts can speak about critical issues of our time,” said Chris Wangro, an event producer who helped organise the Monday-night concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom.
”I was raised by peace activists,” the musician Moby announced to the packed crowd from a stage flanked by two oversized peace symbols. He then accompanied activist and singer-songwriter Laura Dawn in a rendition of Buffalo Springfield’s Vietnam-era song For What It’s Worth.
Organisers said 3 000 tickets were sold, selling out the event that mainly featured a wide array of musical groups.
”It’s awesome to me because there are more and more kids getting involved,” said Sheehan at a press conference.
Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, gained international attention last year when she set up a protest camp near US President George Bush’s ranch in Texas. She was arrested earlier this month in New York during an anti-war demonstration.
”It’s obvious that things aren’t going well over there,” Sheehan said at a press conference before the concert. ”This is a war based on lies.”
Sarandon, who also attended the concert, said that artists were playing their part in the anti-war effort at the concert and through the movies Hollywood is putting out.
”Look at Syriana, look at Good Night, and Good Luck,” Sarandon said of two recent films that deal with issues of war and censorship.
The actress said she was moved by Sheehan, who ”gave a face to all that was going on”. Sarandon also said she is in talks to land a role portraying Sheehan in a film.
”I admire her work and we’re working together to tell the story,” Sheehan said, who embraced Sarandon upon seeing her.
For many attending the event, the concert was a benefit with the bonus of top acts.
”It’s good that you get to see a show and support the anti-war cause,” said Dana O’Malley (36). ”I’ve been protesting for years, sadly.”
Bradley Teal (25) was not optimistic on the US getting out of Iraq soon, but he was looking forward to seeing musician Rufus Wainwright regardless.
”They put a good roster together behind an irrelevant cause,” said Teal, who added he was against the war. ”There’s dissent, but it’s not going anywhere.”
All profits from ticket sales will go to anti-war groups including Gold Star Families for Peace, which counts Sheehan among its founding members, and Veterans against the War.
Former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha said he was proud of the large turnout of anti-war protesters in his native Chicago over the weekend and was told about Monday night’s concert by friend Michael Stipe, who performed at the show. ”It’s a complicated issue, but a good cause,” Iha said. — Sapa-AP