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Rage Against the Machine playing Minneapolis during RNC

RATM @ Lollapalooza 2008 (more by Bao Nguyen)
Rage Against the Machine

Political rap-rock giants Rage Against the Machine will give a rare performance at Target Center in Minneapolis on Sept. 3, which not so coincidentally is the same week as the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. for $60.

Target Center’s news release for the concert makes no mention of any political overtones, but fans know to expect plenty of verbal fireworks. Rage guitarist Tom Morello has already committed to perform with country-rocker Steve Earle at a union rally Sept. 1 at St. Paul’s Harriet Island, the first day of the convention. The band has lashed out at the Bush administration at other shows this year, including last weekend’s Lollapalooza festival in Chicago. Morello expressed interest this summer in performing during both party conventions. [Minneapolis Star Tribune]

Steve Earle also has a bunch of NYC shows coming up at Judson Church. Tickets for those are on sale. Rage Against the Machine played a free show at the Democatic National Convention in 2000

After the performance, a small group of attendees congregated at the point in the protest area closest to the DNC, facing the police officers, throwing rocks, and possibly engaging in more violent activity, such as throwing glass, concrete and water bottles filled with “noxious agents,” spraying ammonia on police and slingshotting rocks and steel balls. The police soon after declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, shut off the electrical supply, interrupting performing band Ozomatli, and informed the protestors that they had 15 minutes to disperse on pain of arrest. Some of the protestors remained, however, including two young men who climbed the fence and waved black flags, who were subsequently shot in the face with pepper spray. Police then forcibly dispersed the crowd, using tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets. At least six people were arrested in the incident.

Some video footage from that, and all tour dates below….

DNC 2000

DNC 2000

Rage Against the Machine – 2008 Tour Dates
20 August – France – Rock en Seine
22 August – England – Reading Festival
23 August – England – Leeds Festival
03 September – Target Center, Minneapolis, MN