Musician David Rovics condems placement of PFLP on 'anti-terror' list

Originally posted on the english PFLP site here:
http://www.pflp.ps/english/?q=mus

Musician David Rovics condems placement of PFLP on 'anti-terror' list


David Rovics, a well-known progressive U.S. singer-songwriter, denounced the listing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and other national liberation movements on so-called "anti-terrorism" lists on August 1, 2010 as he planned to participate in a New Zealand concert supporting Palestine and protesting the designation of the PFLP on such lists. Rovics, a mainstay of labor, international solidarity, anti-racist and social justice politics and culture, has produced over 11 albums and over 200 songs (including an album of songs for Palestine entitled "Al-Awda/Return.") He will play a fundraiser concert in Christchurch, New Zealand on August 20, organized by the Workers Party of New Zealand's PFLP Solidarity Campaign, a campaign protesting the criminalization of national liberation movements and demanding the removal of the PFLP and other Palestinian organizations from 'anti-terror lists' by selling t-shirts and holding grassroots fundraisers to support the PFLP and the Palestinian national movement.

Rovics told the Workers Party of New Zealand that "the criminalization of the PFLP and other organizations by various governments is sheer hypocrisy. These same governments are signatories to UN conventions that make it clear -- the PFLP and the Palestinian people generally are not criminals. They are resisting a criminal occupation -- it is the militaristic, apartheid state of Israel which is the criminal here, which needs to be treated as such, not the PFLP." The concert, which is part of Rovics' Australia/New Zealand tour, will take place at Canterbury University in Christchurch, and feature Don Franks, a New Zealand-based singer/songwriter in addition to Rovics.

Rovics, based in the United States, performs around the world at cafes, pubs, universities, churches, union halls and protest rallies, and his music has been featured on Democracy Now!, BBC, Al-Jazeera and other networks. The PFLP salutes Rovics and the Workers Party of New Zealand for their courageous and principled support for the Palestinian movement and their commitment to refuse and resist criminalization of resistance and to support the national liberation struggle of the Palestinian people.