A pro-Palestine rally took place outside The Rock Music Club ahead of a free concert Thursday night by music artist Matisyahu.
Chants erupted outside the venue around 6:30 P.M. as approximately 100 people protested against the venue’s decision to host a free concert by Matisyahu, whose real name is Matthew Paul Miller and who has been vocal in his support for Israel in the past.
“People like Matisyahu and all those attending this show, and all those allowing things like this to happen, are complicit in or allowing genocide,” said Kerrick Wolfe, a protester.
This came on the heels of the Rialto Theater canceling Matisyahu’s scheduled concert hours before showtime due to “safety concerns and staff shortage,” according to flyers posted outside the theater.
“Our government could stop it tomorrow, and that’s what needs to happen—an immediate ceasefire,” said Brian Flagg, who showed up at the Rialto Theater anticipating the originally scheduled protest. “That’s why I came, to make sure artists who support genocide are not welcome in Tucson.”