A step in the right direction …
>
> Brisbane Cultural icons reject G20 “Cultural Event” as distraction from > real issues
>
> BrisCAN-G20 organisers welcome news that prominent Brisbane community > broadcaster 4ZZZfm and iconic Brisbane bands SixftHick and Monster Zoku > Onsomb (MZO) have taken a principled stand against the state sponsorship > of local cultural events during the G20, on the basis of the economic and > social policies it reflects. These Brisbane cultural icons are amongst the > latest to join an array of community groups and individuals in boycotting > G20 events.
>
> The G20 ‘cultural events’ are widely perceived amongst the community as a > diversionary tactic employed by the government to discourage people from > participating in the social change movements that target the State and > Federal governments’ economic, social and environmental polices. >
> BrisCAN spokesperson and community radio producer, Kim Stewart, says, “By > staging a state-paid-for ‘rent a crowd’ event, the government are > attempting to distract us from the real costs of their policies on the > young, on the disadvantaged and on the environment.
>
> Heather Anderson, Chair of the 4ZZZ board of directors says, “4ZZZ has a > reputation for supporting the community and we can honestly say that the > direction of the economic policies of the Newman government, the Abbott > government and economic rationalism in general are not supporting the > community. Newman has severely cut funding to the arts in this state. So > we can understand why struggling artists might take the sponsorship gig, > but it is important for 4ZZZ to place its principles first.” >
> SixftHick and MZO are known for their politically motivated lyrics in > defence of the exploited and have performed to benefit social justice > causes.
>
> SixFtHicks’ Geoff Corbett, says the band withdrew from the event after > viewing marketing material touting the “G20 cultural celebration”: “I am > not opposed to money changing hands if it is for compensation to > artists/workers who are negatively impacted by G20.
>
> “However it would appear this event is not about the supporting the Arts, > it is about manipulation, diversion and political gain and as such the > funding should not be stripped from the Arts sector. The G20 is not Expo > 88 Brisbane! It is not just cause for “cultural celebration. >
> “I think that unfortunately a lot of people have been placed in a > difficult situation. Workers/artists who live hand to mouth are the ones > who are really being exploited/strong armed here. I understand if people > take the $. We collectively pulled the pin because we would feel wrong > about taking it.”
>
> MZO, whose politically motivated performances make them unlikely to gain > government approval, have been outspoken on the issue of tainted > sponsorship. Sam Kretchmann says, “None of my musical heroes or music > industry peers around the world would be caught dead performing for the > official “G20 Cultural Celebrations”. I am shocked and disappointed that > while the eyes of the world are on Brisbane, my local fraternity have > chosen the path to a quick buck and a lame attempt to “change the system > from within”.
>
> “You guys are not fooling anyone, and if you think that the Brisbane music > community hasn’t noticed this hypocritical stance, well you are wrong. > There is still time to pull out of these events and send a strong message > to your community, the community that has supported you over the years, > and will still be here after the G20 has long gone.”
>
> BrisCan-G20 congratulate SixftHick, MZO and 4ZZZfm for their support of > community interests over state profit-based agendas.
>
> We extend a hearty invitation to all those artists who have declined the > government’s offer to particpate in the G20 event to join us in our > People’s Convergence November 8-15.
>
> Media: Kim Stewart 0413397839
>
> Web http://briscan.net.au/
> Facebook http://www.facebook.com/briscan.g20
>
> Kim Stewart
> Mob: 0413397839
>
> Friends of the Earth
> “Resist, Mobilise, Transform”
> FoEB http://www.brisbane.foe.org.au
> FoEA http://www.foe.org.au
>
> Community Radio 4ZzZ102.1fm
> Radical Radio Collective
> http://www.4zzzfm.org.au
>
> Psychologists for Peace
> http://www.groups.psychology.org.au/pfp/.
161014BrisCanG20media-musos.pdf
