"The song that we recorded talks a lot about sacrifice and how, when you are struggling for liberation, it requires sacrifice. Being an organizer is a sacrifice. It takes time out of your day and it takes a lot of commitment, but it's for a just cause."
"I don't think it's any coincidence that we saw this horrible genocide in Gaza at the same time that we're seeing a massive escalation of ICE action. The song offered her and her bandmates the space to come together around their grief and hope for a better world."
"We were sending a message that that person had all these people here ready to stand up for them. I think it's an example where music can have a very physical way of holding space and sending a message."
Syrian American percussionist Hesham Jarmakani and multi-instrumentalist Camellia Boutros contribute to Artists Against Apartheid, an album highlighting themes of sacrifice, liberation, and community solidarity. Jarmakani's work on "Helwa Ciao" emphasizes how Palestinian traditional music addresses sacrifice required for liberation struggles. Boutros, with Palestinian and Lebanese heritage, recorded "La Lloroncita" blending Arabic folk with Mexican son jarocho, creating space for grief and hope. Beyond recording, Boutros participates in direct protest actions, performing outside ICE headquarters with Brass Liberation Orchestra to demonstrate community support for immigrants facing deportation hearings. Musicians recognize that their work raises awareness and funds for social justice causes.
Read at Kqed
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]