Don’t Mess With Quetzal
Quetzal, following their recent recording of “Intifada“, were ironically invited to play a normalization event for the Israeli consulate in LA, to “celebrate” 61 years of Palestinian disposession…
They boldy declined…
To Whom It May Concern:
Quetzal will not be performing at the Fiesta Shalom on May 17th. When first presented with this performance, it was presented as “an opportunity to improve Jewish and Chicano relations”, which we are certainly in accordance with. When we received the contract, we noticed it was sponsored by the Israeli Consulate. For Quetzal to perform for the Israeli Consulate would mean that we ignore the following:
• Decades of zionist occupation of Palestinian lands and the historically ironic holocaustic genocide of the Palestinian people
• The Israeli/US relationship that has permitted the creation of “permanent” war against people throughout the world.
• Decades of Chican@ solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle for Self-determination.
• Decades of solidarity with the non-zionist, non-imperialist peace-loving Jewish community.
• Over 500 years of genocide, enslavement, and abandonment of all people of color as well as poor whites including all the victims of the Jewish holocaust.
Quetzal is but a small part of a massive community of artists that is committed to using art as a tool to redefine and reconstruct our neighborhoods. We hope that elected officials (barrio pimps) such as Jose Huizar begin to see the light of accountability.
source: Kabobfest
(thanks to Katherine and David for the heads up)
5 Responses to “Don’t Mess With Quetzal”
Quetzal rocks! and MAIZ backs Quetzal’s action in solidarity with all mexicanos and chicanos!
Thank you for setting up this post. I am a musician and live in the community where this “normalization” (cover up!) event is taking place. I contcated Quetzal about this and am pleased that they were willing to back out of the event. Not all musicians would have done that, especially if they’re getting paid for the gig.
Let’s also not forget that this event is co-hosted by L.A. City Councilman José Huizar, and that he needs to be called on his opportunism and lack of moral compass. The event was organized by CARS, Community Arts Resources, a non-profit organization that had the nerve to call on progressive Chicano musicians to bless a zionist event. I’ve also been amazed at the lack of conscience of Facebookers who have been following my posts/call to conscience on this issue. Their silence is mind-boggling. So this is the other side of the coin: artists who are not brain dead and so self-involved that they don’t know and don’t want to know what is happening in the world, as if it didn’t concern them.
right on.. there are a few artists out there stepping it up. Nice job with this, what we especially love about Quetzal’s response is it’s objectivity.
right on. I to refused to attend, even through my friend Jose who’s on the BH neighborhood council was touting this event I had to say no, my consicience would not let me do it. I love’s the Culture Clash and the kids singing and dancing and all, BUT we can not forget or close our eyes, thank you for not attending. Jose Huizar’s brain dead a puppet for Villar so consider the source, villar is all up that developers ass, ck. out the old LA times issues with Villar wearing a yarmulke.
I salute your principled position. This is a confirmation that the movement is growing and the momentum is picking up.
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