'We need all hands on deck': Scenes from Melting Point and Riobamba's anti-ICE protest rave in New York
- PublishedMon, Oct 28, 2019, 16:48
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- The local dance music heads united for a disruptive event outside ICE's Manhattan headquarters on Thursday.
- Melting Point NYC and Riobamba united for a protest rave in New York's Foley Square on Thursday, October 24th. While most Melting Point nights transport visitors deep into the afterhours, this event saw several artists—including the likes of Precolumbian, LOKA and Riobamba herself—disrupting the concrete lot lodged between the United States Court House and ICE's headquarters. The decks were mounted above scattered protest signs that read, "Melting ICE," "Fuckin' Fascist" and "ABOLISH ICE," and the music ranged from swung dembow to fierce hardstyle. The crowd was a diverse multi-generational group of people all equally galvanized into protest by the pounding music. In addition to the DJ sets, there were a few impassioned speeches on the agenda. Riobamba held the crowd rapt as, suddenly overcome with emotion, she struggled to read aloud the names of those recently lost in ICE custody. Three members of the collective Sinchi Warmi also spoke, underscoring the importance of direct action and pressing for policy change outside of nightlife settings. As the sun went down, sign-wielding ravers mostly clad in all black or '90s rave-inspired gear amassed around the pop-up stage engaging in a call-and-response of "Fuck ICE!" and "Fuck 12!" Closing the event, Murderpact's roiling joint performance of live drumming and synths took the crowd to a rowdy climax. Riobamba spoke to Resident Advisor about her work at the intersection of immigrant-focused activism and party organizing. "Right now, because of the urgency of the immigration crisis and the rapid growth and privatization of deportation centers, it's a really critical time, and we need all hands on deck," she said. "So for me, doing benefit events or doing a compilation [album] is really about thinking of different ways to involve the community and have activism not just be one representation of it. Everyone has something to contribute." New York collective Melting Point has been hosting experimental-leaning "fundravers" for over a year now. Within this brief time, the collective has partnered with Al Otro Lado to raise more than $20,000 for the non-profit organization which supports migrants and deportees in Tijuana, Mexico. Discwoman's Riobamba has been affiliated with Melting Point since its inception and has also had a consistent hand in music-based activism throughout her career. Most recently, her record label Apocalipsis put out a compilation album called Sin Fronteras, aiming to "affirm the rights and dignity of immigrant communities," with all proceeds going toward Detention Watch Network, Immigrant Defense Project and RAICES. Her debut EP, Criatura, was also released on the imprint last week. Read more about Melting Point in our recent feature. See more photos from the protest.
Photo credit: Yulissa Benitez Amaro
- Thu, Oct 24, 2019
Protest Rave at ICE Headquarters by Melting Point & Apocalipsis
Riobamba, Hatechild., Cole Carter, King Vision Ultra