of abuse for a song simply titled "Fu*k tha Police." However the most modern controversy over controversial politics and anti-police messages belongs to the Los Angeles based rock/rap band Rage against the Machine. At a concert in Philadelphia front man Zach de la Rocha made an announcement to the crowd, "we would like to send a brief message to the members of the Fraternal order of Police her in Philadelphia" then they covered NWA's "Fu&k tha police." (www.RATM.com) Rage is no stranger to protest, censorship or threats. They are supporters of a new fair trial for convicted cop killer and death row inmate Mumia Abu Jamal. Mumia himself is also a victim of censorship. Mumia recorded several bits documenting prison life that were played on national radio stations until Senate majority leader Bob Dole and the FOP pressured national radio stations into not playing them.(www.RATM.com) Rage themselves have been boycotted by police on several occasions. Two years ago they played a show in New Jersey to raise money for Mumia's trial expenses and were boycotted outside by numerous policemen.(www.RATM.com) It had no effect on concert goers who are there for the music not the politics. The police who boycott Rage have also targeted NBC for allowing Rage to appear on the Conan O'Brien show and to perform their song "Testify" which outlines the Mumia case (www.RATM.com). The president of the FOP released a statement about Rage, which read "This is a mediocre band at best whose real talent is not music but radical politics. I guess when you lack musical talent, but are good at marketing an anti-everything image you can still sell records and get on television"(www.RATM.com). On December sixth, nineteen ninety-nine Rage played a show in Philadelphia. Several local officers of the law threatened to go on a local television affiliate to defame rage. They backed down when they heard that two members of the band would be there to debate them.Music is in...
