While I have been to a few punk rock concerts when my daughter was young teen, it is not my favorite kind of music. But when a congressman teams up with a punk rock band, it gets my attention. Punk band Anti-Flag’s song, Depleted Uranium is a War Crime address the military's use of depleted uranium in it munitions. I asked Anti-Flag about their music activism and this is what Justin Sane had to say:

Question: Depleted Uranium is not an issue most young adults are talking about; how did you first become aware of this issue and what drew you to advocate for it?

Justin Sane: I heard about Depleted Uranium (DU) shortly after Gulf War One. Various activists were claiming that Gulf War Syndrome was a result of Depleted Uranium munitions and armor. As time passed I read about DU on alternative news outlets such as www.alternet.org www.commondreams.org and www.zmag.org. In April of 2004, www.democracynow.org did a great show on DU, and on April 3, 2004 The New York Daily News, released the results of a study done on a group of Military MPs who served in Iraq and came down with unexplained illnesses. The study (which was paid for by The New York Daily News) showed that the men had been exposed to depleted uranium. The Pentagon had previously tested the MPs and said that there were no traces of DU in the MP’s systems. History shows time and again that the Pentagon and the people who hold power in this country (the White House, most of Congress, etc…) act in a manner that is beneficial to large weapons manufacturers, construction firms, etc, but not good for the American people –military or civilian. The use of DU and the Pentagon’s denials that DU is harmful to human health struck me as a classic example of those in power choosing corporate profit at the expense of the US troops and the American people. It’s an amazing example of what you get when you join the military- you get used! For that reason, and because I felt that many people were unaware of the DU issue, I decided to write the song.


Question: Congressman Jim McDermott has introduced H.R. 2410, a proposed bill to study the possible health and environmental impacts of the military's use of depleted uranium. Your song includes clips of Rep. McDermott discussing depleted uranium. How did you team up with Rep. McDermott?

Justin Sane: We met Congressman McDermott when we were doing the Punk Voter voter registration tour in late 2004. Congressman McDermott spoke at one of our shows. I was talking to him about the White House’s failure to properly equip the soldiers they sent into Iraq (lack of body armor, etc…) and somehow the issue of DU came up. He was surprised at how much I knew about it and I was surprised that he was working on HR 2410, The Depleted Uranium Munitions Study Act. We hit it off and kept in touch. He’s one of the few politicians who puts people before corporate profit.


Question: Which came first, music or activism? Why do you use music to speak to these issues?

Justin Sane: I grew up in a family of activist musicians. My family is Irish and almost everyone could play an instrument, so the evenings were spent playing Irish folk tunes- many of which are protest rebel songs. Growing up in that environment, punk rock was a natural next step.


Question: Do you feel that with music you can reach an audience traditional political groups cannot? Do you feel you reach an audience that can be motivated to take action politically, including voting?

Justin Sane: Definitely. I know we do because of letters from people, or people at our shows who tell us that they were ignorant or didn’t care about anything before they heard Anti-Flag; but after hearing Anti-Flag they want to make a positive change in the world, they want to get involved! Such testimonials are really special and inspirational to me. On the days I feel down I remember those testimonials and I’m ready to battle on! When it comes to voting it’s sometimes hard for me to get the words, “Go vote!” out of my mouth because the Democrats and the Republicans are both the lap dogs of corporate elite. But in the end, I definitely believe that it is better to vote than not. That said, major changes need to take place in regards to campaign finance reform, and a whole slew of voting related issues if the US is to more than a mockery of democracy, or as I like to say, a “demockery.”


Question: Music has been a very effective way for you to communicate politically. What advice would you have for people new the political process on finding their political voice?

Justin Sane: I think it’s important to pick an issue you really care about and stick to that issue! There are so many issues, to take them all on would take more stamina than most people have. Pick one and make it yours! Look to groups like www.Moveon.org , Amnesty International www.amnestyusa.org , www.militaryfreezone.org , A.N.S.W.E.R http://answer.pephost.org , www.michaelmoore.com , there are a ton of places to help you get started, you just gotta do a little work.


Question: How did the band end up with the name Anti-Flag, is that a political statement in itself?

Justin Sane: Yes, it is certainly a political statement. It means that we must see each other not as a skin color, religion, sexual orientation, nationality… we must not see each other as flags, etc… Instead, we must see each other for what we are: human beings.

Thanks! Take care and PEACE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!! –Justin Sane