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Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Mraz and Joel Rafael Donate Over $85k to Standing Rock
Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Mraz, Joel Rafael and John Trudell’s Bad Dog donated over $85k to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe this week from proceeds and donations from their November 27 benefit concert at the Prairie Knights Pavilion in Fort Yates, ND, seven miles from Oceti Sakowin Camp.
The benefit concert sold over 1,500 tickets to the general public and provided 800 free tickets to the Standing Rock community and water protectors. In addition to the money raised for the Tribe, Browne, Raitt and Rafael spent the day before the show at the Oceti Sakowin camp, donating over 500 blankets to those staying for the winter.
“What an incredible honor it was to get to experience the powerful coming together of so many thousands united in spirit and commitment to nonviolence, to protect the water and sacred sites,” said Raitt in a press release.
“Arriving at the Oceti Sakowin Camp, with tipis, yurts and campers stretched as far as the eye could see, remains one of my life’s most memorable experiences. Meeting with the tribal elders, taking part in sacred ceremonies, witnessing the incredible work and coordination to provide food, sanitation, security, schooling, medical care and spiritual sustenance to those thousands who have been in the camps and on the line since the summer was incredible. I was filled with such great respect and admiration,” Raitt said.
“We hope the decision to halt construction will prevail in the New Year, but I know the people taking a stand there will continue their fight. We are committed to moving away from our dependence on fossil fuels and into a safer, more job-intensive green energy future. In the meantime, the resilience, strength and courage of all those at Standing Rock will continue to inspire my commitment to nonviolence and the power of people coming together to impact social change,” she said.
“I was called to Standing Rock because of the social and environmental injustices occurring there,” said Mraz in the release. “And because art has the power to open hearts and drive a movement, I couldn’t sit home in silence and allow American History to keep repeating itself. I felt it was time for me to become an ally; to shine a light on the situation and help build a new legacy for indigenous people.
“My first view of the tipis, tents, banners and flags in the 9000 plus gathering of tribes and others from all over the world took my breath away,” said Rafael. “My heart is filled with a renewed commitment to and confirmation of our human rights and our spiritual connection to the earth. My respect and appreciation goes to Jackson Browne and his management team for bringing us all together to encourage the Water Protectors, bring attention to the need to stop the DAPL, and to support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.”
Jason Mraz and Joel Rafael also debuted their new song “Strong” at the benefit concert.
To contribute to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, or for more information please visit:
www.standwithstandingrock.net, www.standingrock.org and www.rezpectourwater.com.