Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

highplainsdem

(49,110 posts)
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 01:06 PM Dec 2016

Former Secretary of Labor Proposes 'Freedom Concert' To Overshadow Inauguration

Source: Mediaite

Robert Reich is a beloved author, blogger, and professor who was once the Secretary of Labor. He has over 1 million fans on Facebook and regularly has posts gain quick and sizable amounts of interaction, including shares. Here’s a recent example of a post that really took off:

-snip-

After noting that no contemporary musicians or big celebrities want to perform at President-elect Donald Trump‘s inauguration in January, he suggested that “huge celebrities like Beyoncé and Jay Z, Madonna, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, (Lady) Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, and so on” should have a “freedom concert” at the same time. The goal would be to divert viewers from the inauguration and raise money for worthy causes like “the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Lambda Legal, NAACP, Common Cause, CAIR, IRAP, SPLC, Environmental Defense Fund, Human Rights Campaign Fund, MoveOn, Economic Policy Institute, Inequality Media, and GLAD.”

-snip-

The effort earned him nearly half a million shares on Facebook and inspired a Change.org petition. Started by someone named Trish Gilbert, the petition features many of Reich’s ideas alongside a few new suggestions. Gilbert mentions the cast of Hamilton, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Harlem Gospel Choir as possible performers for the concert and telethon, for instance.

Gilbert and Reich both agree that the best host for the event would be Alec Baldwin doing the impersonation of Trump that he regularly performs on Saturday Night Live. That particular imitation makes Trump especially angry, so if upsetting the President-elect is the third goal of the concert, that would likely do it.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.mediaite.com/online/former-secretary-of-labor-proposes-freedom-concert-to-overshadow-inauguration/



Direct link to the Facebook post:

https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/posts/1409025115776747

and to the Change.org petition:

https://www.change.org/p/freedom-united-concert-on-january-20-2017?recruiter=12937898&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Former Secretary of Labor Proposes 'Freedom Concert' To Overshadow Inauguration (Original Post) highplainsdem Dec 2016 OP
Let's do it! Even though Lifelong Protester Dec 2016 #1
That would be so cool. karynnj Dec 2016 #2
Speaking of balls... Nwgirl503 Dec 2016 #8
The musician faction of the left ghostsinthemachine Dec 2016 #3
Maybe, like many who voted for Nader... BobTheSubgenius Dec 2016 #7
Yeah but it would bring uncomfortable questions ghostsinthemachine Dec 2016 #9
K&R smirkymonkey Dec 2016 #4
Done SamKnause Dec 2016 #5
Joe Conason + others suggesting it too: CousinIT Dec 2016 #6
Second that onetexan Dec 2016 #12
I propose Reich organize it. pangaia Dec 2016 #10
Needs someone with tech savvy to pull it off. It's too late to have one large event... it'd have to KittyWampus Dec 2016 #14
This is a great idea! Blue Idaho Dec 2016 #11
They can do it with feeds from wherever artists are. With a comedian or two as MC's/Disc Jockeys. KittyWampus Dec 2016 #13
K & R SunSeeker Dec 2016 #15
K and R Seedersandleechers Dec 2016 #16

karynnj

(59,508 posts)
2. That would be so cool.
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 01:15 PM
Dec 2016

I would suggest though that they have it in evening - not when the President is sworn in during the day. If it were broadcast, it could be an awesome fundraiser. It would completely beat watching the Trumps at the various balls.

It would anger the Republicans - and Trump - but, nothing in the Constitution speaks of those balls being the biggest ticket in the country. I love that the intended goal is to fund the various charities that will be needed if the Republicans attack the security net.

Nwgirl503

(406 posts)
8. Speaking of balls...
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 02:37 PM
Dec 2016

On FB some Chumper was posting pics bragging about a call he got from "Donald Trump" and how he'd gotten VIP stage seats for the inauguration and two tickets to two Presidential Balls, plus a room for two at Trump Towers from Jan 15th-22nd. All expenses paid.

Looked him up on FEC and he's not even a contributor. LMFAO! They're stocking the swamp with free tickets to these events. Should be quite the klassy affair.

ghostsinthemachine

(3,569 posts)
3. The musician faction of the left
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 01:19 PM
Dec 2016

Took this election off. Don't know why but no big tours like Change.org (Springsteen) or Dead for Obama or any others. So to see them step up now would be ridiculous.

BobTheSubgenius

(11,575 posts)
7. Maybe, like many who voted for Nader...
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 02:31 PM
Dec 2016

...have seen the error of their ways and want to do something about it. ANY help, even very belated, is a godsend.

ghostsinthemachine

(3,569 posts)
9. Yeah but it would bring uncomfortable questions
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 03:10 PM
Dec 2016

Like why did you not support Hillary, like you did Obama, yet are now protesting Trump.?

onetexan

(13,079 posts)
12. Second that
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 03:43 PM
Dec 2016

What a fabulous idea! I'm sure the orange idiot will be livid with madness. Hope he pops a vein from it.

 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
14. Needs someone with tech savvy to pull it off. It's too late to have one large event... it'd have to
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 03:47 PM
Dec 2016

be like simulcast. With one central mass control operator.

Actually, I bet Mark Cuban would know somebody.

Blue Idaho

(5,067 posts)
11. This is a great idea!
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 03:37 PM
Dec 2016

Nothing could drive Trump crazier than a bigger, classier, more high profile event running opposite his "victory party." Offer it free to the networks and watch his head explode!

 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
13. They can do it with feeds from wherever artists are. With a comedian or two as MC's/Disc Jockeys.
Mon Dec 19, 2016, 03:45 PM
Dec 2016

A lot easier to handle those logistics, though timing would be tricky. But doable.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Former Secretary of Labor...