Musicians and other artists unite against ICE raids with new album and benefit concert

Bringing art and activism together, “Contra-ICE Vol. 1: ICE OUT” is a new music, spoken-word and comedy album that features more than 30 local, national and international musicians on tracks speaking up against the heightened ICE raids throughout places like Los Angeles. 

The 47-track album is a musical and comedic project featuring artists such as Tom Morello, Kathleen Hanna, Ad-Rock, Jello Biafra and Money Mark alongside Ceci Bastida, Adrian Quesada, Tropa Magica, Eduardo Arenas, Maria del Pilar, Las Chorizeras, Nancy Sanchez, Of Mexican Descent, Daniel French of Las Cafeteras, Uli Bella of Ozomatli, Lalo Alcaraz and Richard Montoya, among others. 

In this album, artists speak out against the criminalization of Latinos and working-class communities, as well as the community resistance and local defense groups who have safeguarded immigrants since the ICE raids began last summer. 

This Saturday, October 3, the album will officially be released in L.A. at a benefit concert taking place in La Cita. The album release and benefit concert are open to the public and the proceeds from this event will go towards two political and immigrant rights organizations, including the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and Unión del Barrio.

“In these times of inhuman cruelty and terror, it’s wonderful to know that musicians and artists are in the struggle, leading us to a better world: a world without ICE,” said Ishell Linares, development director of  NDLON.

At the October 3 event at La Cita, many of the artists on the album will perform their music, comedy skit, or spoken word live for attendees. One of the featured artists making an appearance on Saturday evening will be CALÓ NEWS illustrator, Alcaraz, who will perform a comedy skit. 

Alcazar is also behind the cover art of the album, which features a large paletero cart to symbolize some of the most violent and memorable ICE kidnappings of Ambrocio "Enrique" Lozano, a street vendor in Culver City who was detained by ICE agents last year. His paleta cart made headlines and went viral as it was left abandoned after his abduction.

The founder of Contra-ICE, Dali Colorado, a Chicana born and raised in Northeast Los Angeles, said the album stemmed from the idea that art and music are lifelines amid political hostility.

“Authoritarianism thrives in isolation and numbness. Music creates a pulse. Pulse creates community,” she said. “Contra-ICE was born from that understanding, not as a reaction, but as an intervention. 

The benefit concert will start at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets for the event, click here.