Tom Morello Plays Occupy Wall Street

Tom Morello at Occupy Wall Street this morning.

"First they ignored you," Morello told the crowd. "Then you got pepper-sprayed and New York found out about it. Then 700 of you got arrested, and the rest of the country found out about it. Now there are 1,300 cities and towns that are standing up like you are here. Last Saturday I played Occupy LA, and now I'm seeing you here today, and I know in my heart, that all hell can't stop us now!"

Morello called for the arrest of "the Wall Street criminals who torpedoed our economy," and fantasized about turning the abusive conditions of Guantanamo (in which Rage Against The Machine was unknowingly implicated) against the financial class.

"Perhaps we'll put them in those little orange jumpsuits with the black hoods over their heads, and crank Rage Against The Machine 24 hours a day," he said.

Morello then launched into "Fabled City," followed by his collaboration with Ben Harper, "Save the Hammer for the Man."

Morello then introduced a song by Woody Guthrie, saying that if the depression-era singer were alive today, he would be headlining the protest.

"Woody Guthrie knew that history is not maid by presidents or popes or kings or queens or generals or CIA kingpins running dope," Morello said, paraphrasing his own "Black Spartacus Heart Attack Machine." "History's not made by nine robed men or billionaires or bankers—It's not made by them.... I used to think that I was alone. I ain't alone no more!"

After leading the crowd in a singalong of "This Land Is Your Land," Morello launched into a final performance of "World Wide Rebel Song."

"Thank you very much, Occupy Wall Street," Morello concluded. "Take it easy... but take it!"

Here's video of Morello speaking to the crowd:

And here he is playing "Fabled City:"

Previous Occupy Wall Street Musical Sightings:

• Peter Yarrow and Kyp Malone at Occupy Wall Street
  
• Jeff Mangum and Michael Franti Play Occupy Wall Street
  
• Talib Kweli Plays Occupy Wall Street
  

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