Reverend Billy Remembers Brad Will

Priya Warcry asks for New Yorkers to

join Reverend Billy’s Rainforest themed parade from 5:30-6:30. Tuesday Oct 27th Reverend Billy joins with RainForest Relief, NYC Climate Action Group and Friends of Brad Will for a parade through Washington Square Park to draw attention to continued and unnecessary use of tropical rain forest timber for our benches and boardwalks. Did you know NYC is the largest single buyer of Rainforest Wood in the USA? Animals from the rainforest will be attendance. Mike Bloomberg has not responded to requests that he come and answer directly to the animals whose lives have been destroyed by clear-cuts, slag heaps and fire.

Meet at 5:30 between the fountain and the arch at Washington Sq Park. Wear bright colors! We should be done shortly after 6pm.

Oct 27th is the anniversary of the death of Brad Will, a NYC-based anarchist, activist and media maker who was murdered while shooting video of the teachers uprising in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2006. Brad Will was an ardent forest defender and helped start the NYC campaign against tropical rainforest timber in city contracts. He was a good friend to many in this campaign and is sorely missed. After the parade we will break bread for Brad and raise a glass in his honor. Come prepared! More info at  http://www.voterevbilly.org

I interviewed Priya for “The Martyrdom of Brad Will,” a piece I wrote for Rolling Stone in 2008, available online here. His killers have still not been brought to justice. Priya invites you to

Please join Friends Of Brad for a vigil to remind the Mexican Government & our own, that we have not forgotten about the murder of Brad Will, nor ongoing campaign of intimidation and brutality against people struggling for dignity and humanity including unjust incarcerations of activists in Oaxaca.

On the tenth anniversary of Seattle/WTO – I cannot help but recall Brad’s words, “I want to go for the jugular… if not now, when?”

Please come express solidarity with our comrades in Mexico. On Tuesday, 4-5PM in front of the Mexican Consulate (27 E 39 St between Madison and Park Ave, in NYC) Oct 27th, 2009.

That bit about the jugular — not to mention Priya’s nom de guerre, “Warcry,” should serve as a warning that this earlier demonstration may not be for the faint of heart or the purely pacifist of spirit. Friends of Brad Will is not a violent organization, but the NYPD can be.