‘We’re not free until we’re all free’: Phoenix artists unite in support of pro-Palestinian orgs

For over two years, Valley artists, small businesses and organizations have come together in support of the Palestinian community being impacted by the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

Backed and supported by the U.S., France and other international superpowers, Israel has carried out what the International Criminal Court has categorized as plausible genocide. The court has issued arrest warrants for former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. 

Local Arizona artists and businesses are taking a stand in what ways they can: performing, creating art and spreading awareness.

“I think it's important for us to do as much as we can to combat misinformation and to continue to spread awareness about what's actually going on on the ground in Gaza and what our tax dollars are being used to fund,” Chris Cunningham, a DJ at Central Records— professionally known as FM. LOU — and the host of the recent benefit concert for Palestine, told CALÓ News. “My goal in the future is just to continue to do events like this and leverage any platform that I have to continue to spread awareness.” 

Held at the local record store and popular venue at the heart of downtown Phoenix, the concert was a way to raise money for Palestinians impacted by the Israeli blockade that has prevented humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza and to keep the resistance alive from one desert to another. 

Organized in partnership with the Phoenix branch of the Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance, the Halal Brothers and several other artists and performers, the proceeds from the early December event went directly to families affected by the blockade in need of supplies, food and aid.

“We’re extremely appreciative of our organizers,” Dancer, an organizer with the Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance, said while tabling at the events. “They’re able to support us and our ongoing efforts to be able to organize here locally in the Valley… because we’re not free until we’re all free.” 

The proceeds from the event went to funds for the Alliance’s local organizing efforts and to families and friends still in the Gaza Strip. Hoping to bypass bots online, the Arizona to Palestine Movement — which includes several branches across Arizona and similar grassroots organizations such as Food for Palestine — is geared toward building and funding campaigns for Palestinians in direct need.

“I feel like there’s a lot of convoluted information around what is actually happening in Palestine. [It] speaks for itself, the true history of it. This is not something that happened out of nowhere,” local artist and benefit performer, Shela Yu, also known as Shell Shaker, said following her performance. “It’s unfortunate that we live in a climate where speaking about this, speaking about Palestine and the genocide of Gaza, became political issues as opposed to a humanitarian initiative.”

According to a December report from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip from Oct. 7, 2023, to Dec. 10, per the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. Additionally, over 1,000 have been killed in the West Bank. 

Despite the United Nations and global pressure put on the U.S. to end its financial support of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Trump recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, which includes $600 million in security assistance to Israel.

Yet Phoenix artists, organizers and supporters persist with talented performances in addition to promotional art pieces, shared words of empathy and calls to action for those they consider brothers and sisters.

“Social media is a powerful tool to connect. People see what's going on in another country and think, ‘maybe there's no way to connect to that because it's so far over there,’ but there are organizations that are working with folks who are affected by some of these issues. Arizona to Palestine is definitely one that has been really responsive with us,” Cunningham said. “With what's going on in the world, I keep going back to that ‘be the change you want to see’ kind of mentality, and I try as much as I can to look at what's going on in my community and try to start with how I can be of service in my local community.” 

Cunningham said he hopes to continue hosting more events to benefit causes important to the community, whether at Central Records or other venues. Other avenues for support include pop-up fundraisers at local coffee shops — such as the Food for Palestine benefit at WhereUBean Coffee in Chandler — and the Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance’s social media, where they provide updates on additional events.

Analisa Valdez (she/her) is a freelance journalist based in Phoenix. Her reporting includes community & culture, social justice, arts, business, and politics.