BREAKING THE SILENCE
An evening of music & discourse for peace and democracy
Breaking the Silence is an evening of music, words and reflection held at Symphony Space in New York City on May 12th, 2003 in opposition to the U.S.-led war against Iraq and in support of resolving the present crisis through peaceful means and international consensus. It is intended as a collective gesture of compassion and respect for human life regardless of nationality and faith.
Some of the greatest musical talents of our time are invited to express their solidarity for peace by participating in this program, augmented by the presence of guest speakers who have been clear voices of dissent. Their insight into the current turmoil will help raise public awareness of the domestic and international issues at play. We wish to assert our deep concern over the position adopted by the current administration and offer valuable commentary in support of our position.
Having lived abroad for over a year, I returned to New York in December and found myself in a most unhealthy psychological and political climate. The general mood is tainted by fear, confusion, xenophobia, and helplessness. An already anemic economy continues to suffer, hurting both the middle classes and the poor throughout the country. Unemployment is rampant, many of our states are already in deep financial crisis, and projected deficits grow weekly. (A $307 billion federal deficit is projected for 2004 alone and that does not account for the cost of the war!) Our leaders promote their political agenda and serve their own self-interests, riding the wave of terror following the attack on the World Trade Center. The country is swamped with propaganda and fear-inducing news. Citizens are moved to panic and resentment toward any individual or group who puts forth an opposing idea. Debate over the issues is dismissed as unpatriotic; logic has vanished from the forum and is replaced by arrogance. Those who question the credibility of the administration’s claims and criticize its hawkish policies are frustrated by the unilateralist forces that strive to stifle them. The protests held by millions of people around the world on February 15th, regarded as the largest such movement on an international level, were a testimony to the existence and magnitude of the opposition. Yet, George Bush had the audacity to dismiss such a profound gesture of criticism by stating that allowing the protesters to influence him would be "like saying I'm going to decide policy based upon a focus group." Far from being a focus group, we are the very citizens who struggle to survive in a world that is becoming more dangerous and unpredictable thanks to the bellicose rhetoric and war-happy international policy projected by his administration.
In this oppressive climate the need for ongoing dissent is paramount. Therefore, we come together as a group of concerned citizens and unaffiliated individuals to voice our dissatisfaction with our government’s international and domestic policies. We come together because we believe as a group our voices will be amplified and our message strengthened. Some of the most prominent musicians from the New York area and beyond will be donating their talent and time to this effort. This generous act of participation signals a unified opposition to the potential bloodshed. This event will provide a forum in which members of the musical community can visibly declare their stance on the war against Iraq. We will be inviting the public to attend this event as well as our elected officials and representatives. This concert, being primarily an evening of classical music, will no doubt offer many selections written by the great composers of what Secretary Rumsfeld has recently dubbed “Old Europe.” We will call on radio programmers and the press to cover this event to help communicate our message. The caliber of performances will be as high as any witnessed on the major New York stages
Audience members will also be invited to share their thoughts and concerns by writing in guest-books made available in the lobby. The intention is to create a space where individual voices are honored and this format serves that purpose better than having a petition where everyone endorses a single message.
Ticket prices will be kept as low as possible in order o make the event accessible to everyone, especially during these difficult economic times. None of the artists will be paid a fee and everyone will perform as a volunteer. Ticket sales and a call for donations will help us meet the cost of mounting this concert.
The generous supporting committees (please see list of names below) have been instrumental in collaborating to organize this event and will continue to work to bring it to fruition. Additionally, a core of volunteers will provide support for this event on many levels.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all those who see the value in being a part of this event. It is important to hold this event as soon as possible due to the unpredictable possibility of war with Iraq and other nations. Regardless of what transpires in the coming weeks, this event will reaffirm our commitment to peace and healing. I would be delighted to discuss this project in more detail and I appreciate your input, comments, and continued support.
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