Lady Gaga Denounces Arizona SB 1070 at Sold-Out Concert

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-08-01 16:10:00 UTC
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When Lady Gaga raised her forearm at her concert in Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday, everyone could see the words "STOP SB 1070" written in block letters (with accompanying peace signs).

But she didn't leave her opposition to the racial profiling-encouraging law at this silent protest: Gaga took two opportunities during her show to speak out loud against the draconian legislation, telling her audience, "We have to be active. We have to protest.  . . . I will yell and I will scream louder. I will hold you, and we will hold each other, and we will peaceably protest this state."

Over 100 Change.org members signed a petition by GetEqual, which advocates for LGBT equality, asking the performer who has distinguished herself as a gay rights activist to call out Arizona’s law while she played in Phoenix. And that’s just what she did. To resounding cheers from swarms of her fans, Gaga not only criticized this law, she also attacked raids that tear families apart, dedicating the song "You and I" to a boy whose brother was snatched away from him by immigration authorities invading his home.

Elton John, if you’ll remember, was asked to cancel his concert, as other musicians who are part of the Sound Strike have done. Instead, he played as planned, and furthermore felt the need to call fellow performers who stood up for social justice “fuckwits.” And while Lady Gaga decided against joining the boycott as not the right tactic, she used her platform and captive sold-out audience to voice her opposition to a discriminatory law and rally supporters of justice to stand up.

Now that's music to the ears.

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.
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