Native Washingtonians are up in arms to defend the future of
Go-Go music. There was a lot of emotions at a rally organized by community activists
last night to support Go-Go at the Metro PCS Store on 7th and Florida NW.
At the center of the dispute is D.C’s indigenous Go-Go
Music whose cultural and historic significance in Washington, D.C.
is well documented.
As one activist puts it, “DC is Go-Go. You can’t have DC without Go-Go!” Today it’s go-go, tomorrow it’s going to be you.”
DC is Go-Go. You can’t have DC without Go-Go! Today it’s go-go, tomorrow it’s going to be you.
– Protester
According to the petition filed by Ronald Moten a longtime peace activist, go-go promoter and a DC Native and Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, author of Go-Go Live, “The
record store and cell phone carrier at the corner of Georgia and Florida Avenue
NW (U Street) has been playing D.C’s indigenous Go-Go Music since the late
1990s. Neighbors in newly constructed condos across the street pressured the
city and then T-Mobile, to force the owners to stop playing the music.”
The current petition wants supporters to tell those involved
in the dispute namely, T-Mobile, the city, and residents who don’t understand
the cultural significance and history of go-go music in Washington, D.C. that
this is unacceptable; they must bring back the music!
Tell those involved in the dispute namely, T-Mobile, the city, and residents who don’t understand the cultural significance and history of go-go music in Washington, D.C. that this is unacceptable; they must bring back the music!
At the time of going to press, nearly 45,000 Go-Go supporters
had signed the petition which is available at change.org
About Go-Go Music:
Go-go, the
funky, percussive music invented in Washington, D.C.
Courtesy National Museum of American History
