Rage Against the Machine were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Friday, November 3rd. However, singer Zack de la Rocha did not appear at the ceremony because he was instead taking part in a pro-Palestine march in Washington, DC.
Demo instead of self-celebration
On X, the video creator “hate5six” shared a photo of himself with Zack de la Rocha at the demonstration. In the caption, the user explained that he was at the march with 300,000 people to “support Palestinian self-determination” and that he also met the RATM member there. He shared about his conversation with the musician:
“We’ve talked for a while about how this is a turning point in history. People are waking up to how interconnected the struggle for liberation is, from Ferguson to Gaza.”
Tom Morello alone on stage
In the end, only RATM guitarist Tom Morello appeared at the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame” ceremony. He gave the acceptance speech on behalf of the band and also announced that the group had “different perspectives on many things”. He also celebrates political commitment in society:
“The world is being changed by ordinary people who have had enough and who are willing to work for a more humane, peaceful and just country and a better planet. And that’s what I want to celebrate here tonight.”
Morello also gave tips on how to respond to social injustice: “Fans often ask: ‘What can I do?’ Let’s start with this… First, dream big and don’t settle. Second, pursue the world you truly want without compromise or excuses. And third: Don’t wait for us. The anger isn’t here, but you are… If you have a boss, join a union. If you are a student, start an underground newspaper. If you’re an anarchist, throw a brick. If you are a soldier or a police officer, follow your consciousness, not your orders.”