Zack de la Rocha, the iconic frontman of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, has broken his usual silence to speak out against a recent wave of immigration raids in Los Angeles, California. Carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the raids have sparked widespread outrage and protests — with President Donald Trump reportedly deploying both the National Guard and U.S. Marines to suppress dissent.
In response, de la Rocha has publicly thrown his support behind a limited edition “Protect Los Angeles” benefit shirt and hoodie launched by streetwear brand Born x Raised. The merchandise aims to raise funds for The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), a nonprofit organization defending the rights of immigrants and refugees. Notably, Zack’s RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE bandmate Tom Morello also recently hosted a fundraising concert in support of the same cause.
All proceeds from the Born x Raised design will go directly to CHIRLA.
Zack de la Rocha issued a rare public statement endorsing the campaign, delivering a powerful and deeply personal message:
“THIS IS LOS ANGELES. IN LA WE FIGHT ALONGSIDE OUR UNDOCUMENTED BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
IT’S LIKE THE OLD SCHOOL USED TO SAY “CON SAFOS” — IT’S JUST THE NATURE OF THINGS HERE WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.
BECAUSE HERE WE FORM A COMMUNITY THAT TRANSCENDS BORDERS.
HERE WE REJECT THE IDEA THAT ANYONE IS ILLEGAL.
WE ARE A DIGNIFIED CITY OF MILLIONS OF INTERNATIONAL WORKERS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE,
AND TOGETHER WE ARE DEVELOPING THE CAPACITY TO DEFEND OUR MOTHERS, OUR FATHERS, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR CHILDREN FROM ICE AND THEIR RACIST AND ARMED VIGILANTES NOW INVADING OUR COMMUNITIES.
IT’S PARA LOS NIÑOS THAT WE ORGANIZE TO FIGHT FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T.FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO STAND ON THE SIDELINES, AND CONSIDER YOURSELF SAFE, BELIEVE US WHEN WE SAY THAT YOU’RE NOT. FASCISM IS LAWLESS. ITS AGENTS WEAPONIZE WHAT THEY CONSIDER TO BE THE LAW AND WILL ONLY APPLY IT TO THOSE THAT THEY TARGET, WHILE THEY ILLEGALLY DETAIN, HARASS, TERRORIZE, AND DISAPPEAR THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES WITH TOTAL IMPUNITY.
AS WE SPEAK THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO BLUR THE LINES BETWEEN WHAT IS PROTEST AND WHAT IS “TERRORISM”, BETWEEN WHO IS AN INNOCENT WORKER AND WHO IS A “VIOLENT CRIMINAL”.
THIS COULD SOON BE THE NORM WHETHER YOU’RE A CITIZEN OR NOT. TO STAND WITH US IS TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELVES.BORN AND RAISED IN MEXICO.
BLACK AND BROWN NO BACKING US DOWN.
SOLO EL PUEBLO SALVA AL PUEBLO.
IN PEACE FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.”
The “Protect Los Angeles” shirt is available for a limited time at bornxraised.com, with 100% of the proceeds going to CHIRLA.
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