Sage Francis speaks out about Jared Paul and the RNC

Outraged at the treatment of journalists, protestors and ordinary bystanders by this year’s Republican National Convention in St. Paul MN, Sage Francis has taken to the mic to do what he has done best over his 10 year career: raise awareness through music.

Many Americans watched as scores of those who were providing coverage of the RNC were arrested and jailed, notably the arrest of “Democracy Now!” host Amy Goodman and two of her colleagues, which was captured on video and became the YouTube sound byte of the convention for people who weren’t just watching the network’s coverage. The aggression of the police became personal for Francis when they arrested his friend, journalist Jared Paul.

Francis writes “out of the thousand unjust arrests that will happen this year, why am I focusing on this one in particular? Jared Paul is a fellow Providence poet and musician. We've lived together, toured together, protested together, argued with one another from time to time, and shared many incredible moments over the past 15 years. He is a social worker, a community organizer, a selfless human being and a champion of justice. He'd do the same for me in return. He'd probably do the same for you.”

To raise both awareness of the grim situation on the ground at the RNC and money for Paul’s ongoing defense, Sage Francis recorded a song, “Conspiracy To Riot,” and will be giving it away for free at www.ConspiracyToRiot.com. Jared Paul’s complete story is there, along with a place where donations can be made to his defense fund -- normally a the exact type of case the American Civil Liberties Union takes on, but they are overburdened by the volume of RNC arrests. So Jared Paul’s friends have stepped up to help. Slug from Atmosphere posted his bail and Sage’s song and website launch today.

Francis concludes “this has less to do with a friend of mine possibly looking at jail time, and more to do with citizen's rights continually being trampled on. There are thousands of innocent people in jail right now because of their lack of finances. This is a principle thing as much as it is personal.”

Please visit www.ConspiracyToRiot.com for more information and to hear the new song from firebrand Sage Francis.