PHOENIX, Nov. 18, 2010 -- Artist Boycott of Arizona, The Sound Strike, gains momentum as commercial boycott of Arizona performances grows. Internationally recognized and award winning group My Chemical Romance (MCR) canceled a concert performance mistakenly booked for May 24, 2011 in Tempe, Arizona. In a statement released online the band said:

"We want to apologize to all our fans for the cancellation of our Phoenix show on May 24, 2011. This show should have never been booked due to our affiliation with...The Sound Strike Organization. This was a horrible scheduling oversight on our part and for this we are deeply sorry."

The Sound Strike artists lineup grew even stronger as hip-hop icon and legend Mos Def joined the artists boycott of commercial shows in Arizona. The artists boycott of Arizona comes in response to the passage of SB 1070 and the horrid persecution of immigrant communities.

Grammy nominated Musician, BET Award Nominated Actor and NAACP Image Award winning artist Mos Def has a rich history of social awareness, often referring to it as simply "being awake." Raised in Brooklyn, New York Mos Def has carried on the tradition of hip-hop with his social and political commentary and activism. Key Sound Strike organizer, Zack de la Rocha said,

"The Sound Strike is grateful for the courageous commitment to justice and equality for immigrant communities in Arizona byMCR and Mos Def. We honor and respect the sacrifices of these artists in protest of the horrible sacrifices immigrant families and children in Arizona suffer at the hands of a police state that is out of control with anger and animosity towards immigrants."

Added de la Rocha,

"To help fight back against the repressive attacks on immigrants The Sound Strike is contributing

$35,000 to the Barrio Defense Committees (BDC) being organized by PUENTE to help protect immigrant communities from unjust persecution."

Background Arizona

Arizona is a place where Maricopa County sheriffs carry toys to calm the nerves of children whose parents are physically pried away from the arms of their children. Those immigrant parents are detained without bail or access to public defenders. The need for legal defense is great as is the need for assistance to the guardians; usually family or neighbors take in these emotionally distressed children while their parents are held by the Arizona prison system.

In May of this year Arizona passed and signed into law SB 1070 effectively requiring all law enforcement officers to target Latinos for harassment in their zealous and fanatical persecution of immigrants. Cities, counties, nations, schools, businesses, organizations and artists across the globe responded by forming an International Boycott of Arizona in support of the struggle for basic human rights.

About The Sound Strike

Sound Strike is a coalition of artists that have committed to supporting the International Boycott of Arizona in the wake of the passage of SB 1070.  These artists have made a commitment to work together to be part of a larger artist community to raise awareness and opposition to the predatory and punitive treatment of immigrants in Arizona. Sound Strike wants to not only play a role in repealing SB 1070, but also in galvanizing a new generation of ideas that reject the old ways of thinking while affirming that we are all equal. For full Artists List visit www.thesoundstrike.net or search 'thesoundstrike'. 

SOURCE The Sound Strike