Oppose the Silencing of Palestinian Voices!

On Friday, June 6, 2003, "Rhymes for Palestine," a Palestinian American hip hop tour featuring Iron Sheik and Excentrik, and joined by local artists Ash-One and Ehkonomikz, was scheduled to perform at the Citispot Cafe in New Brunswick, NJ. The show had been booked through the Citispot's management, who were informed that New Jersey Solidarity - Activists for the Liberation of Palestine were the sponsors of the show, and that it would be a hip-hop event. The person in charge of booking musical performers readily agreed to hosting the event, and it was promoted extensively with flyers, emails and word of mouth contact as an event at the Citispot.

New Jersey Solidarity - Activists for the Liberation of Palestine posted flyers and signs throughout New Brunswick, and in the Citispot itself - including featuring prominent color signs in both the front and side windows of the cafe that remained posted for over a week. The flyers included the direct email address of the organization, yet NJS was never contacted about any problems until organizers arrived to set up sound the night of the event, about one hour before the scheduled starting time.

The owner of the Citispot approached the organizers to tell them that the event was "bad for business" and that, as he had received threatening phone calls, the event would "have to be cancelled." The event organizers informed the owner that they had promoted the event extensively, including inside the Citispot, that they had been denied the opportunity to seek an alternate venue, and that, indeed, they were bringing business to the Citispot to attend the event, buy coffee and listen to music. Despite repeatedly telling the owner that NJS members and supporters were customers of the Citispot, who purchase coffee and tea there, and that the event would bring actual business to the cafe, the owner refused to allow the event inside, saying repeatedly that it would be "bad for business." He conceded use of an electrical outlet to host the show outdoors, and despite initial concerns about lack of a permit, the show went on outdoors and attracted many passers-by. The artists themselves were also told that their performance would be "bad for business" and that despite the Citispot's agreement with event organizers, they could not perform inside.

A few phone calls from Zionists should not be sufficient to silence Palestinian voices! We buy coffee, drink tea and attend events at the Citispot, yet our concerns, interests and voices were negated and ignored. We were told that our very presence was a threat, "bad for business" - while the threatening phone calls of invisible Zionists were ignored. We must tell the Citispot that Palestinian voices matter and that we will not be silenced!

CALL the Citispot. Let them know that YOU will not be buying there any more, and will be supporting other businesses that support local organizing, local performers, and freedom of expression. Let the owner know that Palestinians will not be silenced any longer, and that our voices, concerns and interests cannot and will not be ignored!

Call the Citispot at 732-246-8858 and tell them that you are aware of, or attended, the Rhymes for Palestine event and that while you had hoped to support such local businesses, the Citispot's silencing of Palestinian voices and declaring of our communities as "bad for business" cannot be countenanced. Let them know that you will be purchasing ELSEWHERE! Ask for Mark, the owner of the cafe - the Citispot's employees didn't make this decision, and the owner should see the consequences of his decision.

Visit the Citispot at 354 George St in New Brunswick. Stop in and let them know that, while you would have been a customer, you will not support the silencing of Palestinian voices and that we are not "bad for business!"

Let us know - at - the results. We must show that we are a concerned, powerful and devoted community that will speak out when we are silenced!

There are alternatives to Citispot coffee! The CyberCafe, 335 George St. is an another local business with wireless access, coffee and performance events, and it's one block away from the Citispot. Don't drink Citispot!

New Jersey Solidarity - Activists for the Liberation of Palestine June 9, 2003

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