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Conor Oberst Reunites the Desaparecidos to Fight Nebraska Immigration Law

Conor OberstJust days after Conor Oberst spoke out about boycotting performing in Arizona because of its contentious immigration law, the Bright Eyes frontman has announced he will now spearhead a benefit gig called "Concert for Equality." According to the Omaha World-Herald, the show will help the ACLU fight the "Fremont Law," a similarly divisive approach to immigration in his home state of Nebraska.

For the gig, set for July 31 in Omaha, Oberst intends to reunite his incendiary punk band Desaparecidos, which has been mum since 2002's 'Read Music/Speak Spanish' album. In addition, fans can expect performances by Bright Eyes, plus local indie heroes Cursive and a reunion of Lullaby for the Working Class, which boasts members of both acts.

"I was outraged, saddened and embarrassed for their town and my state," Oberst wrote in an open letter to an Arizona concert promoter last week. "This way of thinking and legislating is so dangerous, and such a threat to our basic ideals as Americans and humans, that we cannot stand by and do nothing. We cannot play on as if nothing is wrong."

According to Pitchfork, the town of Fremont, Neb., recently passed an ordinance that "aims to zero in on illegal aliens in the workplace and at their temporary homes." Tickets for the show start at $20, and more information on the event is available on Oberst's official website.

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concernedconorlistener

i love conor as much as the next fan, but i only have one thing i'd like to say. if you believe in so strongly in changing how things are going boycotting playing in arizona is not the right way. fans are being punished because we are hindered from experienceing his music. many of the fans in arizona have no control over this law and musicians should be playing here trying to preach and get the message across to fans and inspire them to act. music needs to be used as a weapon and spread the the souls of the uninformed. i just think it isnt fair.

December 27 2010 at 10:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Champion

Conor Oberst, being one of the most influential figures in the history of Independant Rock music, has made both Omaha and it's local Saddle Creek Records a staple of the Indie movement, and is by no means an "embarassment to the state of Nebraska" as Husker Rich put it. Like the author's of these angry comments, he is simply making a stand for his opinions and his morals. He's just got a much wider audience, though he might not be in your narrow scope (unless your screenname there refers to Husker Du, but even then you may have been out of the seen since the late 80's?), so don't be so bitter.

July 09 2010 at 3:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wilmer

fuck you all...
hes an amazing guy
hes standing up for what he believes kin and thats the true

July 08 2010 at 11:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Husker Rich

This idiot is an embarrassment to the great state of Nebraska. Hey Conor your home state doesn't need your opinion or care what you think. Stay out and don't come back. The people of Fremont have spoken. 60% approved the measure. That is a landslide majority. We don't want some over hyped wanna-be preaching his politically correct drivel. The hard-working, tax-paying middle-class people of Nebraska have spoken. And its not about race, it's about personal responsibility. Obey the law, assimilate, pay your taxes and then you are welcome in our country.

July 07 2010 at 11:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marc

a friend and I are traveling from california to be there...excited that people are taking action on this racist legislation

July 07 2010 at 6:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Weedster

This guy is a fucking numb nut. Boycott all his shows.

July 07 2010 at 5:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
abused citizen

Who is this guy and why does he hate his fellow citizens so much?

July 07 2010 at 4:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply