Oklahomans Against Occupation hosts a fundraiser concert for Palestine

Oklahomans Against Occupation will be hosting a fundraiser concert for Palestine Sunday at Resonant Head in Oklahoma City to raise money for HEAL Palestine.

HEAL Palestine was founded by Steve Sosebee who also founded the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, Dave Hanon, a board member of the OAO said. 

HEAL Palestine involves not only food and medical aid, but also emotional support and educational resources, Hanon said.

He said that in Gaza not only have their medical infrastructures been destroyed, but also their educational systems. “Every university in Gaza has been leveled and the majority of schools for younger kids are also destroyed as well,” said Hanon. 

Steve Sosebee and HEAL Palestine are not just providing services of urgent medical care, but little music events, entertainers and other things to bring a smile to these children’s faces who for the past eleven months and most of their lives have not had a chance to experience life to the fullest extent, said Hanon.

The lineup for the concert includes R&B singer Nia Monè, no wave electronic punk band Sheesh, alternative rock post punk band Gonzo Lebronzo, solo rap project NasGreen, solo goth and synth pop project Settling and thrash pop beach metal band Belle Riots. 

Sheesh reunited after about six years of not performing together and this is one of their first few concerts after reuniting. Their set will be entirely new material, said Laine Bergeron of Sheesh. Gonzo LeBronzo is made up of lead singer and guitarist Dave Hanon, drummer Grant Marshall, bass guitarist Shawn Stafford.

Hanon is one of the organizers for the fundraiser concert and a board member for the OAO. They have an EP out called “American Roulette” that has a song written about the Covenant school shooting and a song about the disproportionate warfare levied against Palestine, said Hanon. 

NasGreen is a Palestinian Oklahoman who is a member of indie band Chelsea days and this is his rap project on the side, said Hanon. Settling is a solo side project of Brandon Ross from hardcore band Grandpa Vern. Belle Riots is a queer punk band, said Hanon.

They decided to be part of the Palestine fundraiser because it is something very close to their hearts and important that they show support for fellow human beings that just want their space to exist and not be in terror every day of their lives, said Myra of Belle Riots. 

The concert will also feature The Oklahoma Action Chorus which is a gender diverse choir that focuses on labor movement songs, Hanon said. 

Ayperi who is one of the heads of the Aalim Dance Academy in Oklahoma City will be performing the dabke which is a traditional Palestinian dance of resistance. Ayperi will give a brief history lesson and then get everyone in the room to do the dabke, said Hanon. Abraar Hassany who is the director of public relations for the OU chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine will be the MC for the evening, Hanon said.

There will also be updates from Oklahomans Against Occupation and guest speakers Mauree Turner who was recently the Representative for Oklahoma’s 88th House District and Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon who serves Oklahoma City’s Ward 6, said Hanon. Mask Bloc OKC will also be there providing masks for everyone who attends the show. Molly’s Tamales will be there because it will be a four hour long show, Hanon said.

Oklahomans Against Occupation is an organization that is around ten months old. They were cofounded by Yasmin and Tasneem after Oct. 7, Hanon said. A couple of people got together with this idea of what they can do for Palestine in Oklahoma and came up with different ideas of sustainable solutions to organize in Oklahoma, said cofounder Yasmin. They thought of OAO as a way to do long term work for Palestine, said Yasmin. She said it was a couple of people and then the OAO grew from there.  

The concert will take place on Sept. 22 at Oklahoma City music venue Resonant Head. The doors open at 5 p.m. and the show is set to start around 6 p.m. Tickets sales will be donated to HEAL Palestine. They cost $15 each and you can buy them at the door or online.