This is very interesting. Along with anti-war protests and tracks against mass-media brainwashing of the world’s populations, Rage has always stood by the idea that unified, differences can be made. Unification across race, class and religious belief. It’s not that we all need to get along necessarily, but that we should stand up for what we believe with like-minded people of all backgrounds to effect change in a world controlled by government and private alliances that really care very little for the average citizen.

Rage Against America might be an appropriate name for the group… The USA is the biggest ‘Machine’ out there, after all. I agree that the US and Canada as a whole are “great places to live” in terms of individual freedoms, quality of life, educational opportunity, etc. However, that is a far cry from the country or countries themselves being ‘Great.’ Great places, with a lot of people who do very bad things.

you can watch this protest on YouTube
The cops were unrational to the MAX

Police in Minneapolis
couldn’t handle us

Tried to do a peaceful protest
but they treat me like a pest

Didn’t bother to sign a permit
do they know who I am, I’m the shit

(30 second guitar bridge that sounds just like it did in 1992)

This is the new song guys available on iTunes. Give me your money…err Che Guevara man, yea. I really give a rat’s ass about the Indians being persecuted in Peru. My Mercedes…I mean bike, yea let’s all ride bikes. Thought I’d just let you know about my new cause. Cheif Running Wolf just shot 3 rich guys, he’s innocent. That should give me enough material for another half-asses album.

I can’t believe there is so many negative comments and generalizations about people in the crowd.

People need to question their governments and take a stand when they commit such unethical and oppressive acts. Well done Rage Against The Machine for using your voice and inspiring other people to do the same.

Bad facts???? Say that to all of the families of innocent people who were killed simply because they lived within a corrupt state. It is a disgrace and the world has lost its respect for the USA. You have to do better because this will be remembered in history.

If you think I am talking shit, educate yourself. Read unbiased media reports. Question your government. Use your brain. If you are right, you have nothing to lose.

hey. if you dont know your information then shut the hell up. its not the republicans or the democrats that are bad, stop being so ignorant and lookin stupid. once you have actual reasons for disliking one group, back it up with something. Rage had bad facts, the dems voted for the war too. deal with it, and find a different excuse to whine.

Rage Against The Machine needs to keep doing what they are doing! Let me tell something to you pieces of shit that think that this band as a whole sucks. You can keep living in your self-induced sexed up,violent,greedy little minds, or start weening off of your mothers fucking tit to start feeding on real information. I don’t think a majority of you sheep quite know what is going to happen if DicCain and that dike from Alaska get voted in to the office for the mentally challenged. Just have two words for you loyal computer nerds “rich-poor.” Now if Obama,Ventura,or Nader are in office this does not mean everything is going to be all fucking peachy but this will give are children a fighting chance! Thats wright everyone I said children all you self-centered fucks. So I leave with this keep on talking shit about people and bands like Rage. Keep on living in your little dome of crapacinoes, brand names, t.v. watchen, drug induced, zombie like state and see what happens. PS. Hey bush when you get to HELL let me know if its enough for ya you rebel you.

You nailed it right on the head there dg! If the music gets people to look into things and question things, then the music is doing its job. I never heard of Mumia before Rage, and never hear of Leonard Peltier before the Flobots. Now do I agree 100% with their views? No! But I do agree that the Government is over bearing and needs to be put in check. I’d rather hear music like this than the mainstream crap that we have now days…

And for those who think that Rage is doing it for the money…Seriously?? they could have charged $60 and still sold out that place. Yet they felt it was important to have it be a movement than a concert.

I hate people who only protest because its the cool thing to do. I bet 99% of the people there didn’t even know what they were marching for, they just did it because RATM told them to.

I saw Rage in Denver a week ago. Their music and message were awesome. I hear some of you hating on Rage and that you are tired of them but the truth of the matter is that they are activists and their music gets people interested into looking into what the lyrics and message mean. They get you up off your ass to stand up for something. What a great band musically and what an accomplishment for them to stir up emotions enough even for all of us to take the time to chat about them! No other band does that. Sorry “Neal” but they are not “sell outs”. I am guessing you watch MTV and love all the new “punk” they play and Kanya West because he is so cool…right? And “Jesse” stay away from music like this if you think they suck. Music now is absolutely pathetic!

smoke bombs bad

i love this band and what they do.

check out one day as a lion too

Tim,

Your left bias takes too much control of your daily life. Sorry to hear that all of your conservative minded friends are fake. Or maybe you are just judging them because you can’t see the big picture.

Small business growth in America is a huge part of it’s success. Until the Democrats choose to actually help those owners instead of just talk about it in speeches, I will continue to support conservatives who work their butts off to start their own business. It is what America is built on.

I will say that I am more socially Democrat. But so much of what you are talking about on here is either misguided or false about conservatives. I am very active in my community helping those in need. I am a supporter of government programs to help those people, however, they need to also be willing to pick themselves up and understand that the government will not always give them handouts. I wish that we could regulate welfare, add welfare counselors who could work with those who have been dealt a bad hand, and help them become successful. That is the American dream, isn’t it?

I could go on for hours, but a conservative does not hate this county. A conservative does not only care about the top 1% getting all the benefits (I certainly am not one of those). We care about personal responsibility and the idea that people in this country can work to make themselves better. Wether it be a homeless man outside the Xcel or a middle-class family who is feeling the tight financial pinch of the economy.

Hopefully, we can find a common middle-ground to work together and make our country the best it can be.

watching those sheep cheering for Zach in the video always makes me laugh..it must suck to go through life being such a miserable little prick..

wow..Rage are SO rebellious…find a new act Zach.

Maybe they can write a new song now.

To the Left,

The reason Dems and Libs don`t say to us “If you don`t like it leave it” is because we do like it here and we don`t want to leave.
It`s the Left that`s constantly pissing and moaning about how bad the country is. We actually like our country.
I`m still waiting for one of you left wing a..holes like Alec Baldwin, who keeps threatening to move to another country if he don`t get his way in an election, to actually get on a freakin plane. I`ll pay for the one way ticket.

I like “Rage” as a band. But I take their anti- establishment act as serious as I take Professional Wrestling. Phony! Wrestling is actually more legit.

Rage against this, Moron!

To the Left, whatup Bro?

The reason Dems and Libs don`t say to us “If you don`t like it leave it” is because we do like it here and we don`t want to leave.
It`s the Left that`s constantly pissing and moaning about how bad the country is. We actually like our country.
I`m still waiting for one of you left wing a..holes like Alec Baldwin, who keeps threatening to move to another country if he don`t get his way in an election, to actually get on a freakin plane. I`ll pay for the one way ticket.

I like Rage Against the Machine as a band. But I take their anti- establishment act as serious as I take Professional Wrestling.

Actually Wrestling has more credibility.

Rage against this, Moron!

why is no one else reporting this blatant disregard for freedom of speech and assembly? props to rage for being more than just talk.

dear “patriot”
rage are doing their part to call the establishment out on their atrocities at home a abroad. isn’t that what any true “patriot” does.

well if you think they’re a good or bad band then great. But you cannot deny them the right to peacefully assemble. WHICH THEY DID!!!! It’s awesome to see people assembling like that for what they believe in

Rage is a tired act. They act like they are so oppressed. If you are so oppressed take a look around the freaking world. I’ve been all over the world and can INTELLIGENTLY say this country is the best country on Earth. RATM are nothing but a bunch of hypocritical, whiny babies. Their act is TIRED.

I am fed up with the way people manipulate and strangle others ideas. Fear is not something that should be used to strangle voters into picking their candidate. Malicious attacks are childish and unwavering. I am tired of the same old policies, the same close minded thinking that the majority of conservatives share. I watched the RNC tonight, in particular Sarah Palin’s speech, and I am appalled that anyone would think about voting for her and McCain. Of course, the well off families sat in the crowd cheering, wearing their 2,000 dollar suits or their casual of Lacoste and Ralph Lauren polo’s, oblivious to the fact that outside lay homeless citizens who can’t afford food. It’s a fake atmosphere, its an atmosphere filled with the hope that change will not be embraced, that their old fashioned ideals will remain in power for another 4 lustrous years. I am sick of the politics of conservatives and I am writing this to portray my hatred, so if you are offended at all, stop reading now, I apologize ahead of time for this ridiculously long rant.

Are these people so secluded from the world around them??? They claim to know American’s, to know the hard workers that struggle day in and day out to provide a meal for themselves and their families, yet all they do is seem to soften the tax on the wealthy 1% and crush down hard upon the rest of the population. I am sick of hearing this fake bullshit about how they are going to continue a prosperous America when our Country is failing faster than the music industry and only an idiot could miss the blatant truth. These “conservatives” are so secluded from the outside world it’s scary. I visited Martha’s Vineyard this summer and WOW do these people not understand the world around them. They are in their own little world, go to church every Sunday, have family meals every night, it’s all bullshit, they live in their own fake little world and I can’t take it anymore.
On numerous occasions I have been told that if I hate this country so much why don’t I live somewhere else, well let me tell all of you something, I don’t hate this country, I just hate the people who run it. I have as much a right to live here as the rest of you do, so can the republicans please stop using that preposterous phrase like it means something to me, why don’t you leave the country because you’re burning it to the ground. Oh let’s go drill some oil up in Alaska, fuck the polar bears, who cares if they have been here longer, we’re gonna suck this planet dry of all it’s natural resources so we can drive around in our SUV’s and watch Nascar on the weekends. How could anyone in their right mind vote for McCain? And Palin, wow, cause I really care that your a “soccer mom.” What the hell does that mean to me, like I am supposed to connect with you more cause your kid plays soccer? Fuck you. Yeah let’s rally behind the Alaskan governor because she didn’t abort her child with down syndrome, WOW, what a hero, a true working class mom.

Their ideals are befuddling, how can anyone attack a candidate for lack of experience when they themselves lack experience. What, like being a mayor in a town with a population of 6k is supposed to impress me enough to vote you as Vice President, which in turn will most likely lead to President, because lets face it, McCain is on his way out. Their views are twisted as well as their logic. I apologize for being so blunt about my anger but I just can’t take this bullshit anymore. They spout empty words and empty promises, remember the last 8 years, remember the fear you felt when it was announced we would be at war with a country that had no involvement with any U.S affairs…except oil of course. However, if you are of age, if you have a functional brain, vote for Obama. However, it is necessary that you vote for him because you believe in him, not because someone else told you it’s the cool thing to do. If you TRULY believe McCain is the correct politician teaching the ideals you believe in and that you share, than vote for him, but please don’t complain when the next 4 years of this country are an exact replica of the past 8. Change is something this country desperately needs right now, and although some may think his EXPERIENCE is not up to par, Obama is the best chance the country has at a rebound.

I agree with “to the left” I am sick and tired of hearing all these conservatives spouting off this junk about how if we don’t like the country we should leave, NO! It is just as much our country as it is yours. We have every right to be here and the only reason we complain is because we have very hypocritical, ignorant red necks in office feeding the rich and forgetting the poor. I watched the RNC tonight, in particular Palin’s speech. It is disturbing to see those people laugh and cheer for a woman who is saying a lot but for some reason says nothing. These people are unbelievably disconnected with the world around them. They walk around on wall street and law firms and their nice suits, go play golf and tennis on the weekends in their lacoste and ralph lauren polos and forget completely about the growing rate of poverty and crime in this country. Life is perfect, they don’t want change, they fear change. They are afraid of the growing number of citizens who excuse god from their lives because it is not the way of the past. They are afraid to let go and their fear shines through in their governing. The conservative people I am acquainted with have to be the most fake people I know. They care more about their image in society than society itself. Look around you ass holes, our country is tearing itself apart and all you can do is think about the big christmas bonus that will pay for the new yacht. Yeah let’s help the 1% of America that has enough money to pay for health care, fuck the 99% who struggle day in and day out to put a meal on the table for themselves and their families.

I’m so tired of hearing about Rage Against the Machine protesting. They have this so called message of sticking it to the man yet they are signed to a major label and make tons of money. I mean their music is alright but seriously, they are no more of a sellout than any one else who makes music these days.

This looks like a peaceful gathering of concerned citizens. People who make comments that they need to move away or get run over are bullies who need to go work for FOX News.

Hi — why was this piece of crap mistaken for me???

RATM is a great band, I’m glad that they did it. I wish they would put this story on their megaphone:
Hannity on 9/3/08 at 5:55 pm ad 5:56 pm said to a caller two times when talking about Palin’s daughter: said “Ask Obama’s mother” further conversation and then says “Ask Obama’s mother” again. Obama’s mother is deceased. On Hannity’s own discussion forum he has a prohibition against talking about candidate’s families subject to a ban from the forum, this is the utmost of hypocrisy! How can this man of supposed decency knowingly say that about a candidate’s deceased mother? This is disgusting and should be exposed for all to see and hear.

wherever rage goes, trouble follows. i wonder if zach isn’t just an ego-maniac trying to see how much descent he can stir up. seriously, he’s just an entertainer, nothing more. he and ann coulter are the opposite heads of the same snake. his antagonizing is irresponsible and gets people hurt. the freedom he insists u don’t have, u already have. he only wants u to be free to hurt urselves to test his own power.

The rights to free speech, and to protest are some of the most sacred principles of our Democracy in the US.

To those of you who feel the protesters got what they deserve - Perhaps you should move to China and join the Communist Party if you enjoy squashing dissent so much. Why don’t you expose yourself to sources of news other than Fox News and anything that only agrees with your obviously limited world view. Ever heard of the BBC World News? Ever traveled outside of the US?

The police presence and use of intimidation, detention, and brutality is a threat to our Democracy. I do NOT agree with violent protest. However, the actions of the local Sheriff’s department and police department also served to aggravate the situation.

How many of you heard how prior to the RNC, the local Sheriff department raided the offices of protest groups in the area? Officers broke down doors, brandished weapons, handcuffed occupants, used nicknames like “Executioner”, and forced all occupants to show ID while officers photographed them.

Very few people were charged with any actual crimes and the charge was organizing to incite a riot. Apparently, we have lost the right to protest in the US. The intent of participants to peacefully protest vs. protest in violence is now determined by the police.

Didn’t hear the raids? That’s not surprising, even with our “Liberal” news media.

The sad fact is those people with the greatest amount of wealth rule this country. The corporations and politicians are one in the same: They’re out to make a buck regardless of who it affects. This includes those of you ardent right-wingers.

The city of St. Paul could not allow news of police brutality to leak to the rest of the nation considering the lucrative spotlight that the RNC provides. I understand the importance of economic development, but at what cost is it worthwhile?

Those who are willing to speak out for those of us who are silent are heroes and patriots of this country (along with our Troops who unfortunately have been forced to fight our unjust war).

The best f’in band in the COUNTRY! Wish I were there, but I’m stuck in McCain country, next door to 1 of his 7 houses.

Gov Jesse Ventura, USN:

“The HELL with the Patriot Act”

02 SEP 08
1630 hours

Rage suck..always have..always will..

the protesters got what they deserved…

Fucking amazing!!! Where you been these last 8 years fellas?

Do any of these “protesters” have jobs?

I was there. There was definitely a group that wanted to start trouble, and the police had every right to break it up.

Whatever happened to peaceful protesting? Try that next time and you won’t have to worry about the police.

I was working the second stage for the event. I had police officers coming up to me and asking us what we were going to do and telling us what we could do. They told us they were afraid of Rage Against the Machine playing because they were afraid it would start a riot. They didn’t say Rage couldn’t play because they weren’t on the permit. Many guest speakers were also not on the permit and were allowed to speak and other local bands that were not on the permit were allowed to play. The permit was not for any certain band. It was for live music at the State Capital until 7pm. The schedule that was given to me by the St Paul Police Department said strict end at 7pm. Rage should have been able to play because they were ready before 6:30 and 4,000 people would have went home rather than hitting the streets.

It’s the city’s fault on what happened. Not the the protesters or the police. A few of the police were even doing action poses on their squad cars in full riot gear for us. But then 30 seconds later I saw a cop that had a Coon Rapids badge physically push and shoot a kid point blank in the face with pepper spray when he was simply trying to run from the tear gas that got shot off because some other protesters 3 blocks away from where we were decided to throw a bottle at a line of cops so of course the people 3 blocks away need to get their asses kicked too.

Tom Morello was half right. The correct statement should have been economic and war crimes both at home and abroad. The military like presence and arrests in Minneapolis is like living in China. If you think the protesters got what they deserved, you don’t know a damn thing about the constitution.

more left bias from rolling stone. they mention rage was at the dnc but not that they were there in protest. so what do they do when it come to the rnc but right a story about it and blow it out of proportion

I love the argument by republicans/ conservatives that “if you don’t like it here leave.” Why is it that Dems and liberals never use this argument? YOU leave. YOUR ideals have us in our current state. YOU claim to love this country more than anyone else and at the same time always fall back on the love it or leave it bullshit. For “loving” this country so much you sure do want a lot of people to get out or stop coming to it. Fuck you. Your time is done. I surely feel something stirring, and I like what it feels like.

Was Mr. Zach de la Rocha on certain white substance? A little too obvious, even to the naked eye.

yes the protesters got what they deserved. Soon our country can be just like China!! just shut up and take it whinners.

I Love how the person who stated that the “Protesters got what they deserved” Didnt have the balls enough to put there name on the comment.Typical Republican coward have fun at your next Klan meeting.

The protesters got what they deserved.

Nothing is more American then Rage.

Your anger is a gift!

How long? Not long! Cuz what you reap is what you sew!

How long? Not long! Cuz what you reap is what you sew!

How long? Not long! Cuz what you reap is what you sew!

How long? Not long! Cuz what you reap is what you sew!

This article gives rage too much credit. While the music festival had a permit they never bothered to put Rage on the permit. Furthermore they did NOT lead a march they hopped in their cars surrounded by armed guards (and yes police) and drove away. Yes, I was there.

wow..what rebels rage are…idiots…hey Zach, 1995 called..they want you back..

Why isn’t the news reporting this? They aren’t letting protests occur. As soon as they start, the cops are breaking them up. 130 people were charged with FELONY RIOT. A felony for marching against the people that truly are guilty of felonies. The cops better be careful these next two days. They don’t want to repeat the ‘68 DNC.

A quote says it best: “Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.”

You’d think at some point in time it would finally occur to someone in power that antagonizing protesters and rioters with tear gas and other riot gear only infuriates the group more. Why not blast some “Aqueous Transmission” and flood the air with ‘happy grass?’

what do you expect from people, who are pro life and pro death penalty? What do you expect from a party led by a man who doesn’t know how many houses he owns? This is Fox News Channel stuff-propoganda,lies, etc. A certain mid 20th century regime had a very effective PR machine led by a man named ..give me a second… oh yeah…Goebbels. This party sent our country to war against a sovereign nation looking for WMD’s, of which there weren’t any and we are still there, making this longer than WWII. This is a war based on lies and fear. At somepoint these constitutional rapists will be held accountable-in their life or in history.

what do you expect from people, who are pro life and pro death penalty? What do you expect from a party led by a man who doesn’t know how many houses he owns? This is Fox News Channel stuff-propoganda,lies, etc. A certain mid 20th century regime had a very effective PR machine led by a man named ..give me a second… oh yeah…Goebbels. This party sent our country to war against a sovereign nation looking for WMD’s, of which there weren’t any and we are still there, making this longer than WWII. This is a war based on lies and fear. At somepoint these constitutional rapists will be held accountable-in their life or in history.

Dominic your ignorance blinds you. Come down to St. Paul and see how many freedoms you truly have. 0

This band ought to change their name to “Rage Against America.” It is astonishing how protesters like this don’t recognize how great our country is and the freedoms they enjoy…if these poeple don’t like it here, they ought to move to leftist country where they will have little freedom.

The US constitution allows for peaceful protest. If a group gets together and sings songs (no mention of violence) and the police use force against this, it is an abomination against what this country stands for. Shame on you for proclaiming your patriotism while supporting fear-based fascism!

Damn this country and their wimps. Let’s put them all in one big truck and drive them over to Jeff’s house, so he can sick the dogs on them like any good repressed, tightly-wound citizen would.

force, violence and dogs should be used on dumbasses like you,,,gauranteed to stop dumbass comments like yours, jeff,,,,dumbass.

the last comment sounds like a wimp. Officers should use as much force or violence necessary to stop these protesters. I would use the dogs. I guarantee no more protesters…

Good Stuff Rage.

I was in the march and had to run from the tear gas. I didn’t see anyone being violent. There was a young girl who couldn’t have been more than 20 with medics helping her wash out her eyes. In addition I met a medic who got 2nd degree burns from the protests yesterday. She was simply helping someone else who had been injured.

Things are scary here in St. Paul, and the people aren’t getting the full story. The police are intimidating and using violence far more than they should, resulting in more violence and fear from the protestors. It’s a vicious cycle, and I believe they could have gone about security in a much more humane way.

Yawn.

I was there for the whole thing - not joining in, but observing. Most people were peaceful, but there was definitely a small and determined group that only wanted to start trouble. I was told that no tear gas was used to disperse the crowd - only concusion grenades and smoke bombs.