Rage Against the Machine were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Friday (November 3rd). While guitarist Tom Morello was in attendance to give an acceptance speech on behalf of the band, singer Zack de la Rocha apparently was prepping to march on Washington, D.C., in support of Palestine the next day (November 4th).
The vocalist was spotted among the masses who marched on the Capitol on Saturday in protest of Israeli strikes on Gaza. He was among thousands calling for a ceasefire on the Palestinian enclave as death tolls mount, with many calling for action from US President Joe Biden.
Noted hardcore videographer hate5six posted a picture on X of himself with de la Rocha among the protesters (see below), writing, “300,000 of us marched on DC today in support of Palestinian self-determination and called for an end to Israel’s genocide. Cell service tanked the livestream but I ran into Zack de la Rocha who came out for the march.”
He went on to share a few details of his conversation with the RATM frontman, adding, “We talked for a while about how this is a tipping point in history. People are waking up to how interconnected the fight for liberation is, from Ferguson to Gaza.”
A Reddit user who goes by the handle eggmcmuff1n also shared the image, noting, “In true Zack de la Rocha fashion, he skips out on the Hall of Fame induction but joins the march on Washington for Palestine 🇵🇸 ✊🏽”
The RATM singer’s appearance at the protest and absence from the Rock Hall ceremony puts quotes from Morello’s acceptance speech in a slightly new light.
“Like most bands, we have differing perspectives on a lot of things, including being inducted into the Rock Hall,” Morello said. “My perspective is tonight is the great opportunity to celebrate the music and the mission of the band, to celebrate with the fifth member of the band: Rage Against the Machine’s incredible fans. The best way to celebrate this music is for you to carry on that mission and that message.”
However, elsewhere in the speech, Morello urged fans to incite political action as de la Rocha did by marching on Saturday.
“The world’s changed by average, ever day ordinary people who’ve had enough, who are willing to stand up for a country and a planet that is more humane, peaceful, and just. And that’s what I’m here to celebrate tonight,” Morello said. “Fans often ask, but what can I do? Let’s start with this: 1.) Dream big and don’t settle. 2.) Aim for the world you really want without compromise or apology, and 3.) Don’t wait for us. Rage is not here, but you are… If you got a boss, join a union. If you’re a student, start an underground paper. If you’re an anarchist, throw a brick. If you’re a soldier or a cop, follow your conscious, not your orders.”
Below you can see the X and Reddit posts of Zack de la Rocha marching on Washington.
300,000 of us marched on DC today in support of Palestinian self-determination and called for an end to Israel’s genocide. Cell service tanked the livestream but I ran into Zack de la Rocha who came out for the march. pic.twitter.com/uj8Pi8buig
— hate5six (@hate5six) November 5, 2023
In true Zack de la Rocha fashion, he skips out on the Hall of Fame induction but joins the march on Washington for Palestine 🇵🇸 ✊🏽
byu/eggmcmuff1n inRATM