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Radiohead's Thom Yorke performing at Roseland Ballroom in New York on Thursday
Radiohead is not occupying Wall Street. The band shot down rumors of an impromptu performance this afternoon at Zuccotti Park in Manhattan's financial district, timed with the growing protest movement.
"It's definitely not going to happen," said Laura Eldeiry, a spokeswoman for the British band. "It's a false rumor." She said that the band had nothing to do with the announcement and that a show "was never planned."
Further squashing rumors, the band also tweeted, "We wish the best of luck to the protesters there, but contrary to earlier rumours, we will not be appearing today at #occupywallstreet." (Note that extra 'u' — gotta love the Queen's English.)
Earlier in the day, organizers behind Occupy Wall Street announced a show, and word spread fast online. The group's website now reads, "This was a hoax. Please accept our apologies."
Demonstrators have taking over the area for the past two weeks, camping out to call attention to corporate greed, lack of jobs and the shrinking middle class. There have been some flare-ups of police brutality as we've mentioned on the show, but this has largely been a peaceful gathering. Adding Radiohead to the mix, could have changed that with even more crowds pouring into the area for a free show.
The band has been in New York City all week to play two very sold-out shows at Roseland Ballroom.
I'm still disappointed I didn't get tickets — me and like every New Yorker who's a fan, including a large handful of Last Word staffers. Tickets sold out within seconds, and I won't even tell you the number of times I refreshed that Ticketmaster purchase page because it's just embarrassing.
So Wall Street protesters, join the club. Today, united, we will just have to settle for the video.
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It's hard to be cool when you're not!
We were taught for years that standing up for what you believe changes things but what I see is that it just serves our egos. I'm a life long democrate and after the last series of protests and elections I have some questions on what we are actually doing, trying to change things or just cheering on our team.
Ever think about this, we all were up in arms and had body counts scores and protest banners all over the place for peace over Iraq. Google anti war protests and you'll see pictures of signs that have unthinkable things said about President Bush by us democrates. Remember that we yelled and screamed over President Bush using the phrase "Wanted dead or alive". Remember "Rendition" and the worldwide reaction? Remember Haliburton scandal?
Let me ask all of us democrate this, where are the banners now for deaths in Libya, nowhere because they simply justified it by saying it was to save lives. Don't know how that works and we didn't accept that reasoning in Iraq? Actaully if you listened closely to the UBL capture, oh that's a mistake clearly said that there was intension of ever capturing UBL. Thought "Rendition" was no longer a government program but we find out that they have new camps for "Rendition" in Somalia.
Why aren't we screaming, now. Were not out of Iraq (troop withdrawals are not out and all the US Army or infantry first so don't say we pulled out combat troops) so where is Cindy Sheehan and code pink, where are we? How is Solidyne any different from Haliburton?
This all makes me a little sick. We let our political affiliations dictate our core beliefs.
Occupy Wallstreet leaves the Green Party high and dry.
People who think the Green Party platform and members are or were toxic responsible for the election of Bush are no brighter than Sarah Palin and are on as thin ice as her. Bush was elected because the right came out to vote for him. Al Gore was a weak candidate. He was done in by a couple of Greens with a platform cooler than his.
The biggest problem in USA politics is that too few people vote at all....too few of those people Chris Hayes would describe as not dumbies. If Occupy Wallstreet is not wanting to vote, how does that not make them part of the problem?
FYI: The AFLCIO showed up at the slumber party because they have the vote and want the vote and need you to vote.
FYI:The USA has the systems in place. What we need is more better politicians and more better voters . Or else a total change to Parliament style government
FYI: Thom York doesn't have the USA vote...he's British....duh!
I think you have a good point
more than a good point! I believe it to be TRUE!
Not an "Arab Spring" but an "American Fall" is slowly betaken the country we know and love because of the presidential elections' Republican candidates' foul mouthed rhetoric! In trying to establish an affaire d'amour with the American people, the Republican sprinters have grossly stunned them with their overstating opposing views on everything the majority of the people don't want to hear! Since they pledged some, unelected, ideologue not tax those with the money, they have to do away with people programs such as EVERYTHING loved by the people! The way to create jobs during this downturn is for the government to create jobs in order to fix our infrastructure. Can't do that because it'll make President Obamba shine purple/blue with a smile! So, do away with Social Security! Can't do that! It's too popular with all Americans! Then, how could we get America back on the right economic track? Ask Governor Perry, "Take out the axe and chop off everything!" Can't do that! We won't have any paid/interventionist/obstructionist at the polls to help beat the Democrats on election day! I have an idea! TAX THE SUPER-DUPER RICH! THEY GOT THE MONEY! THEY'RE WILLING/ABLE/EAGER TO PAY! Oh! If you like, I make $19,000 a year but in order to fix America you could take $1000 more a year off me. But then, make sure you help those that can't help themselves like the BIBLE says! I want to go to Heaven! DO REPUBLICANS? QUICO!