The ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism)
and the Party for Socialism and Liberation hosted the first ever Lyrical
Revolt! in Syracuse, N.Y., Sept. 17. Lyrical Revolt! began in Harlem in New
York City as an initiative of the ANSWER Coalition, and has since spread to
cities throughout the country.
The event was a fundraiser for Chuniece
Patterson, a victim of police brutality. It marked the beginning of an effort
to raise funds to purchase a plaque to mark Patterson’s grave.
Many poets and rappers showed off their
talents, providing a continuous stream of progressive and conscious art. The
lineup included spoken word poets Mozart Guerrier and John Shambo. Local
rappers Pretty Boy Raheim, MLA and Badd Newz also graced the stage at the
Southwest Community Center, which is in the heart of one of the most oppressed
communities in Syracuse.
In between each performance, ANSWER organizers
and PSL members informed the crowd about the fight-back movement that has been
brewing in Syracuse and how people can get involved.
The main attraction of the night was Marcel Cartier,
who traveled from the South Bronx in New York City to participate in the event.
Cartier’s revolutionary raps covered topics like capitalism, the war on Libya
and the occupation of Palestine. Throughout his set, Cartier took time to
explain the lyrics in his songs and to encourage people to join in the struggle
against oppression, exploitation and imperialism.
The more than 50 people who attended showed
great solidarity and determination within the community to put an end to
racism, police brutality and war. Be on the lookout for more revolutionary
cultural events in Syracuse. If you want to get involved in the movement,
contact the Syracuse chapter of the ANSWER Coalition at [email protected].
