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Successful benefit for Sherman Austin w/ special guest speaker Zack De La Rocha (from Rage Against the Machine) rocks San Diego.
More than 400 people attended the Raise the Fist benefit show for Sherman Austin on August 29, 2003 which took place at the Che Cafe in San Diego. It only took two hours for the Che Cafe to reach it's maximum occupancy capacity and post a sign at the entrance that read "sold out". Despite the disappointment crowds of people still formed a line at the entrance and crowded around open doors all night waiting to get in.
Inside, the Che Cafe was transformed into an entity of ferocious resistance that literally turned alive as people packed in tightly wall to wall with barely any room to move. The outside patio was an atmosphere of festivity accompanied by many people and various groups and artists who set up tables providing literature, food, drinks, videos, and "FREE SHERMAN" RTF t-shirts and buttons (compliments of NION).
The event featured a diverse lineup of artists from Hip Hop, Hardcore, Punk, spoken word, and speakers which brought people as far from Arizona, Santa Barbara, and Florida.
"FREE SHERMAN!" was yelled into the mic as performers took the stage and fists flew up as the crowed pledged their resistance and solidarity.
The clock hit 11:30, the moment of articulate insurrection had arrived.
Words of weaponry hit the mic as Zack De La Rocha and Sherman Austin took the stage.
Zack set it off with a phenomenal speech describing the FBI raid, arrest, as he addressed the blatant racial implications and political motives used to persecute Sherman Austin, ending with a poem written during the rise of Nazi Germany before handing the mic to Sherman who delivered words of fire accompanied by cheers and raised fists. "A 1 year prison sentence is not the end of this, it's just the beginning." said Sherman, letting the crowed know that resistance will not be put into the dark without a fight.
The FBI thought they could use Sherman as an example to intimidate everyone else from standing up. August 29, 2003 proved was proof that they failed. It was proof they could not keep Sherman isolation and keep him or anyone else silent. Despite the increasing amount of political repression, recent FBI raids, roundups, and persecution of anyone considered a "suspect", we can still come together and accomplish amazing things. The resistance is not dead , it's just begining ...
SILENCE IS DEFEAT
 Listen to Zack De La Rocha's speech
Listen to Sherman Austin's speech
 Report: The Sherman Austin benefit show by abstractmentality
 more pictures of event
If you would like to organize a benefit show in your area, and/or perform at a future benfit show, please contact RTF@raisethefist.com
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