Rage Against the Machine guitarist and comic book writer Tom Morello joined Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Against the War in a day of music and activism in Chicago during the 2012 NATO Summit. Outspoken about his political views, the Chicagoan performed at a number of rallies and concerts in Chicago in the days leading up to the Summit. He spoke with Amy Goodman at Democracy Now! about the role of music in protest movements and the statement veterans planned to make by returning their medals:
“TOM MORELLO: I think there’s nothing more courageous than a soldier who stands up against an unjust war. And that’s what these soldiers are doing, very brave soldiers, courageous soldiers, are doing today.
AMY GOODMAN: And the role of music and art in resistance?
TOM MORELLO: Yeah. Well, I mean, what music can do is it can help steel the backbone of those in the midst of a struggle and help put wind in the sails of social justice movements. And I’ve been here over the course of the last three days exhaustively playing songs for a variety of causes, but none more important than today.
AMY GOODMAN: What links do you make between—you’re going to be soon headed to Wisconsin for the race for governor. You’ll be performing in Madison and other places. And here you are at the NATO summit. What are the links?”
To read more of Goodman’s interview with Morello and to watch the interview, click here.