Anti-Flag kicks off the election season with protest shows

Just in time to really get into the festivities leading up to the presidential election, political punks Anti-Flag have set up a pair of protest shows in Minnesota.

The first will take place on September 2nd, in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the band will be playing on the Capital Lawn with a bunch of other artists including Michael Franti & Spearhead, Dead Prez, Wookiefoot w/Matisyahu, I Self Devine, and many more. This festival, named Ripple Effect, is being organized by a non-profit group called Substance, a group intent on breaking down generational barriers and addressing pertinent environmental and social justice topics. The event is free, and more information on the festival and about the group is available on the group’s Web site.

The following day, September 3rd, sees Anti-Flag teamed up with Rage Against The Machine at the Target Center in Minneapolis as part of another protest show organized to take place at the same time as the Republican National Convention. Tickets for that show (not a free one) are for sale here.

These protest shows speak to the true political side of punk rock, providing a voice and a gathering place for punk fans. Hopefully this pair of shows is just the beginning for what we can expect from bands across the boards as the election draws closer.

Photo © Nicole Lucas