From Alto Arizona and PanLeft Productions, a new video on immigrants rights by French-Chilean hop hop fusion artist Ana Tijoux. The press release announcing the video describes Tijoux’s work and the images, artists and activists behind the project:
Tijoux spent her childhood in France after her parents had to flee a repressive regime in Chile. It was there where she discovered hip hop music, and where she began her musical career. Her name was recognized in the international market after collaborating with the Mexican artist Julieta Venegas in the song Eres Para Mi. Her album entitled 1977, which has songs that touch on issues such as political injustice and her life in France, was nominated for a Grammyin 2010.
Now she’s out with a new music video, “Shock,” directed by Alex Rivera (Sleepdealers) from the album “La Bala” which features Tijoux with protesters of Arizona’s infamous Sheriff Arpaio and the anti-immigrant law, S.B. 1070, which the United States Supreme Court ruled was largely unconstitutional on June 25, 2012. Filmed after a concert with Puente Arizona, Tijoux’s concert served efforts that pre-date SB1070 to challenge the state’s anti-immigrant climate and defend and advance the rights of migrant families.
“It’s more important than ever to take a stand against the hateful, anti-immigrant law in Arizona and to show that our communities – whether in Santiago, Chile or in Phoenix, Arizona – will not stand for lawmakers dividing our families or destroying our neighborhoods,“ said Pablo Alvarado of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, one of the groups producing the video.
Tijoux’s video follows another “Alto Arizona” protest video featuring Manu Chao. Last year, Chao ended his U.S. tour with a ‘Festival de Resistencia’ free concert in Phoenix, Arizona, to protest against the state’s anti-immigrant policies.
The new video features Tijoux in Arizona’s desert and images of undocumented immigrants confronting police officers in acts of civil disobedience. “I’m coming out today as undocumented and unafraid because I’m tired. I’m tired of people saying that I’m ‘illegal,’” says Viridiana Hernandez, an undocumented young person arrested in civil disobedience protesting Sheriff Arpaio. “I’m tired of living in fear. I’m tired of my family living in fear,” says another.
Supporters of Arizona’s migrants can sign a petition to the US President calling for an end to deportation programs in the state at http://bit.ly/potus1070.
Go to http://AltoArizona.com for more information.
Director/Editor: Alex Rivera
Director of Photography: Lisa Rinzler
Additional Camera: Daniel Devivo
Protest Footage: PanLeft Productions
Thanks to: Alonso Parra