That song written and sung by actor, musician, and spoken word artist Saul Williams. It’s called “Not in Our Name” and it takes its words from a powerful pledge written by activists and artists across the country: the “Not in Our Name” pledge to resist “the war on the world, detentions and round-ups, and police state restrictions.”

Yesterday thousands of people gathered in cities around the country to take that pledge. They joined people like singer Mos Def, writers Alice Walker, John Edgar Wideman, Eve Ensler, Tony Kushner, and Russell Banks who have signed a statement of conscience against what they see as the growing repression in the US.

Last month, 1,500 young people chanted the pledge of resistance at the Palace Theatre in Hollywood. It was the first major concert against the war, featuring hip hop performances from dozens of bands including Ozomatli, Blackalicious, and the Coup.

Tape:

• Saul Williams, actor and musician, reading the “Not In Our Name” Pledge Of Resistance at the ArtSpeaks concert in L.A. last month.

Guests:

• Robina Niaz, social worker and peace activist from Pakistan.
• Miles Solay, student organizer with the Not in Our Name Coalition.

Related links:

• Not In Our Name Coalition
• Artists Network of Refuse & Resist