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Drop The Charges

by Lee Reed

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THIS IS A SONG IN SUPPORT OF HESN (Hamilton Encampment Support Network). SALE BY DONATION. ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DIRECTED TO HESN FUNDRAISING EFFORTS. If you would like to make a more substantive donation to the Organization, please send an e-transfer directly to info@hesn.ca or donate to their GoFundMe page (to avoid Bandcamp taking a percentage of your donation)

DROP THE CHARGES
(Raback/ Bowen) / Lyrics & Vocals by Lee Reed
Beat, Mixing and Mastering by cee.reality at Reality Labs studios

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The young, largely racialized, organizers of the Hamilton Encampment Support Network (HESN) have spent the last couple years at Hamilton’s encampments, supporting and defending our unhoused neighbours. At the start of winter, as temperatures dropped below zero, 6 members of HESN were arrested for defending an encampment from eviction. This song is in support of HESN, with all proceeds going to their fundraising efforts.

The ongoing housing crisis is pushing more Hamiltonians to the street every day. The City has spent the last couple decades courting the worst, most predatory speculation- putting our whole city’s housing stock in the hands of developers and investors, happy to post record profits from the mass displacement of Hamilton’s working class. While the cranes go up and the folks get kicked out, it’s important to remember: the City did not leverage this half-baked hyper-development for any affordable housing; the City did not make plans or provisions for the tsunami of evictions they created; the City did not allocate any new funds for affordable builds, or any City property for affordable projects; they did not set any minimums for ‘percentage of affordable units’ in new builds, etc. They’ve done literally NOTHING. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Despite decades of alarms sounding, and experts warning of what’s coming.. THEY. DID. NOTHING.

HESN is being criminalized for helping the Hamiltonians that our City pushed out in the cold; arrested because this City failed; targeted because they are doing an effective job of advocating for the unhoused, and shining a light on the City’s lack of leadership on this issue. They are trying to silence these HESN members because they are young, intelligent, capable, and racialized. They were arrested for defending Hamilton’s most marginalized.. when the City wouldn't. They were arrested because when the City blows its whole budget on cops.. cops will be the only tool they have in their kit.

There is a million things this City could be doing about Housing right now. But, spending 1 second or 1 dollar on fighting HESN ain’t one of them.

Say it loud - DROP THE CHARGES!

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Please read up on HESN, and the work they’ve been doing.. donate, follow, share, and get involved.

Hamilton Encampment Support Network (HESN).......
Web- hesn.ca
Twitter- twitter.com/HamOntESN/
Instagram- Instagram.com/hamontesn/

GoFundMe Page for HESN Arrestees/Legal Funds.......
www.gofundme.com/f/support-6-youth-activists-with-legal-fees

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released January 20, 2022

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Lee Reed

Lee Reed is Kanadian Hip Hop’s oldest and grumpiest revolutionary rap loudmouth, and a respected veteran of the nation’s indie music scene. For over 25 years he's been stomping stages and studios, spewing his fiery brand of anti-capitalist rant-hop.

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