Zack De La Rocha Pens Letter Of Solidarity For Ailing US Venue

1 July 2014 | 1:24 pm | Staff Writer

Still raging on

Former Rage Against The Machine frontman Zack De La Rocha has apparently written a "letter of solidarity" in support of the University of California, San Diego's historic Che Cafe, which stands at risk of being shut down.

The reason for the "apparently" is the fact that - aside from the endorsement of the Cafe themselves - De La Rocha's social-media absence means there is actually no real way to confirm the post is indeed the RATM shouty-man's handiwork, though it'd be kind of brazen and weird for the cafe to openly be talking about and promoting the fact that a famous musician wants to save their premises if it wasn't the case, honestly.

In any event, the erudite letter certainly reads in the voice of someone who is a dab hand at the old social justice game. "My name is Zack de la Rocha of the revolutionary group of musicians known as Rage Against the Machine," the frontman began. "I am writing this letter as a member of a growing community of artists who are concerned about the UCSD administration's latest attempts to shut down the Che Cafe. A place that is not only a great venue, but a source of inspiration and community building for any artist, student, or worker that has entered its doors.

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"In its ever shifting rationales for attempting to close the Che Cafe, the administration has clearly lost its focus on what this venue has done to enhance the student educational experience and the university as a whole. Simply put, no other university campus venue in all of California has done more to build a bridge between students of UCSD, regional artists, and indeed artists from around the world."

De La Rocha goes on to talk of his personal experiences with the cafe, painting a picture of the venue as an indispensible incubator of creative imagination and rebellion.

Read the full letter below:

"My name is Zack de la Rocha of the revolutionary group of musicians known as Rage Against the Machine. I am writing this letter as a member of a growing community of artists who are concerned about the UCSD administration's latest attempts to shut down the Che Cafe. A place that is not only a great venue, but a source of inspiration and community building for any artist, student, or worker that has entered its doors.

In its ever shifting rationales for attempting to close the Che Cafe, the administration has clearly lost its focus on what this venue has done to enhance the student educational experience and the university as a whole. Simply put, no other university campus venue in all of California has done more to build a bridge between students of UCSD, regional artists, and indeed artists from around the world. This unique forum of cultural and political exchange is a rarity, and without diminishing the merits of other student organizations on the UCSD campus, few can boast the kind of scope and positive influence that the Che Cafe has garnered for over three decades.

I have performed at the Che Cafe a number of times and always left more empowered, more informed, and more inspired than when I arrived. Like so many others, I am personally indebted to the dedicated people throughout the years who have tirelessly worked to create a safe, all ages, truly democratic venue; one that should be embraced and defended as an indispensable campus forum for art and ideas.

In solidarity,
Zack de la Rocha"

In early May, the cafe - which has occupied the same space at UCSD for more than 30 years - was advised the university was being "forced" to close the cafe, citing maintenance funding cuts. The cafe, however, believes it is less simple than that.

"On May 1, 2014, the Che Cafe was notified that the University Centers of UCSD was going to take cut maintenance funding, 'forcing' them to shut us down!" it posted on Facebook. "This is a blatant attempt by the University to get rid of the Che Cafe Collective. Stand with us to fight for our space, one we have had for 34 years!

"The proposal to relocate the Che Cafe was given without underlying proof and documentation that the space is unsafe. The University, though asked, has yet to provide any timeline relating to relocation, renovations and return to the facility. The repairs cited have been in their current condition without any health and safety incident for years, with the University never mentioning it until now as a reason to shut down even after the 2010 Facilities Report.

"We were not notified of this vote, or the fact that we would not be included in the budget until a week ago, and have had very little time to perform outreach. Our goal is to convince UCAB to vote to keep the Che in the budget. We believe there are many other alternatives and more favorable solutions that have not been considered, aside from the current proposal.
"

It would seem, however, that not everyone on campus is thrilled at the prospect of the Che's fight for survival, with the cafe posting this picture to Twitter recently (if you can't read it, that sign on the window says "This Is A Safe Space"):

We'll keep you posted if further information becomes available confirming De La Rocha's authorship of the letter of solidarity, but until then keep the Che - and struggling venues everywhere - in your thoughts.