Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor
Gold Lion Cafe, a typically quiet coffee shop fit for studying and lulled conversations, transformed into a venue for social change and punk rock during Punks 4 Liberation’s benefit show on Thursday night.
The show was thrown to raise money for Karam Hani Al-manasra, a Palestinian man who was shot by Israeli forces, according to the GoFundMe. P4L was able to raise $500 for Al- manasra and his family, as they struggle to secure essential needs, with his injury only making it more difficult.
Laywaste, Silico and Bleedout were the bands performing. The night ended with a rousing speech from real fro, The Magic Man, a local activist. He encouraged the audience to come together and get stuff done. The energy in the room was alive with the feeling of change.
Mutual aid is a foundation point for P4L, according to Maeve Jenik, one of their main organizers. The idea for the show came from a newer member of the organization. They brought Al-manasra’s cause to Judas, P4L’s founder. He organized it, like he does for all events, and used connections throughout the community to make it happen.
“[Benefit shows] is one of the main things we like to do because we have such an amazing community that is willing to show up and show out and support these causes. I think it’s also great for educating people,” Jenik said. “Living in the United States, we know what our tax dollars support. So, we want to do whatever we can to help the people in need.”
The organization started a year ago. Their next benefit show will be at the upcoming Barter Market in Scuffletown. There will be more on the horizon, according to Jenik.
Activism and mutual aid is a cornerstone of punk beliefs, and was felt strongly in the walls of Gold Lion. Brick J. the bassiest for Laywaste, a Virginia grindcore band, said he tries to play at least one benefit show a month — whether that be with Laywaste, or one of the many other bands he plays with.
“This guy [Al-manasra] was violently assaulted by this unstoppable f****** force of evil, it makes me f****** sick.” J. said. “Getting up there and being able to get all of that out and being able to share the frustration with everyone … just being able to contribute to potentially helping this get out of really, really horrible situation, that’s the bare minimum honestly, and that’s what everyone should be doing.”
The event was filled with a litany of chants demanding a free Palestine and the end of the genocide in Gaza. As each band stepped up to play, they screamed out the same message — engaging the crowd through shared beliefs and music.
Laywaste’s main goal when performing is for the people to learn something from what they are yelling and singing about, according to Eric Young, lead vocalist of Laywaste.
“It’s nice to have people move and stuff, but I also want to get something out of it and understand what we’re about and hear something that they probably, maybe haven’t heard before,” Young said.
Punk is always political, and art is always political, said Nathan Brazie, drummer of Laywaste.
“If there’s someone just talking on a stage or something, it can get just like, no one’s really listening to them. But, when you put it into a form of art or media type of thing it makes people actually listen to it,” Brazie said.
To learn more about upcoming benefit shows or other events Punks 4 Liberation might be holding you can find it on their instagram @punks4liberation.