Fernandina Friends, live music downtown is being threatened by an old city ordinance that’s about to be changed. We (as in workers of the music/bar/restaurant industry) need your help in our struggle to keep live music alive downtown.

We’re asking all supporters of live music to meet at City Hall, this coming Tue. Mar. 16th at 5pm for the commissioners meeting.

Feel free to dress up, make signs, sing songs and have fun!!
​Let’s celebrate and show the commissioners what live music means to this community.

See you Tuesday.
City Hall, y’all.
5pm

For me personally, protest is a celebration.  No doubt, it is something that I am passionate about.  I have found that good music is essential.  Positive Energy, good music, art and comedy are all great strategies that can compel others to join the movement/active resistance.

For me, making signs has always been something I'm passionate about.  I love turning on some good music (everything from old Gospel music to Rage Against The Machine) driving around town dumpster diving for cardboard (which I usually find behind a strip mall) and spending the day making 20 - 40 signs for folks to enjoy at the protest.

Protest is a celebration of our 1st Amendment Rights.  Protest is sacred.  Protest is one of the things that led to the establishment of the Nation we currently occupy.  When Protest is positive, upbeat, clear, and non violent; it can be a very effective weapon to creating change. 

It's been over 200 days now. Winter is gone and spring is in full bloom. Cape Town is exploding with flowers right now! We drink a lot of tea in between short missions to the plant store. We hope everyone is staying safe and doing well.

Farewell from the Cape of Good Hope.

It's been five months since I last played to a live audience. South Africa just lifted a few restrictions (like being able to sit outside and eat/drink) so I thought it would be fun to try out some new material. 

This is a video of the first two verses of a new song I wrote called "Power of People."

Speaking of the Power of People. 
Live music venues were not included in the CARES ACT that Congress passed earlier this year to help mitigate the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. There are a lot of people in the live music eco system who are hurting right now.  The live music was one of the first industries to shut down and it will be one of the last industries to open up. 

If you care about live music it is ESSENTIAL that you contact your representatives right now to tell them that you want them to support the bipartisan RESTART Act + Save Our Stages (SOS) Bill. 90% of live music venues are at risk of shutting down permanently. 

I took an Uber earlier today to get back to our house after returning our rental car. My driver was a nice gentleman from Malawi. His name was Meshack and he's been living in South Africa for 12 years now. We discussed many issues during the 45 min drive through the mountains that create the dramatic landscape of Cape Town. 

Our conversation started with the struggle of the working class (and working poor) of South Africa and how the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lock down effected those of us who are gig workers (musicians, Uber drivers, etc). Our conversation then went into the difference in response between USA and SA and then into American foreign policy and into race. 

At one point, I said to Meshack, "I believe the United States needs a truth and reconciliation commission" which he immediately replied "The WORLD needs a truth and reconciliation commission." And he is absolutely right.

If you are unaware of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission setup by Nelson Mandela and led by Desmond Tutu then I highly recommend doing some research on YouTube and other sources. Although the TRC was not perfect  it was a monumental step in the right direction. 

There is no perfect way to reconcile.
It is not easy.
Digging up the past is not fun. But if it can be done in good faith, I believe we will see progress in our country and around the world. Western civilization has achieved it's economic superiority off broken treaties, slavery, systemic oppression and disenfranchisement of non white people. 

Only when we hold our mistakes and broken promises accountable (like 500 broken treaties and Jim Crow) can truly ask forgiveness. Once we have asked and received forgiveness is when the full redemptional power of Greatness can be unleashed on our Nation.

The world needs a Truth and Reconciliation Commission because there is no future without forgiveness. 

We are witnessing a worldwide self awakening of marginalized and oppressed people. We are also witnessing the worldwide galvanization of sympathetic white folk who are joining the struggle and becoming allies of the Liberation movement.

What is Liberation?
Liberation is Self Determination.
Liberation is accountability and an unequivocal message to the future generations that come hell or high water  we shall overcome.

We are sorry to announce that due to the Covid-19 pandemic,
all dates in South Africa and USA have been canceled through July.
We are stuck in South Africa until lock down is lifted and international flights resume.
​Please check for updates on social media.

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We have been deeply impacted by the recent events in America regarding George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Not only do we hope and pray for peace and justice but we feel it is our civic duty to engage in the non violent struggle of our fellow Americans.

I want to ask my friends and family to take some time to learn more about the struggle and how you can get involved.

Some people are posting on social media.
Some people are peacefully marching in the streets.
Some people are writing their congressional representatives.
Some people are donating silently at home.
Some people are having difficult conversations with family and friends.
Some people are educating themselves.
Some people are registering to vote.

There are many ways to get involved but make no mistake, this is a struggle. It's not easy, it's not comfortable and it's not fun (although you can bring humor to the protest, which is usually good for morale) but the movement only becomes more likely to succeed when you show up!!

With Hope and Solidarity,
Brian

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Photo: June 6, 2020 // US Consulate General (Cape Town, South Africa).