Rock Artists Band Together for Anti-Fear Video

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Sting in a still from the “We Are Not Afraid” video

Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Ringo Starr, Patti Smith and Yoko Ono are among more than 200 rock greats and cultural figures who have come together to declare “We Are Not Afraid” in a new video targeted to raise funds for victims of religious and political violence around the world.

Creator/organizer Steve Weitzman, according to a press release, says the “We Are Not Afraid” video “gives a voice to those whose voices often go unheard.” Originally created as a four-minute video, “so many notables signed on that it needed to be lengthened,” he says. Rock photographer Bob Gruen who served as director, expanded it into an eight-minute video. Says Gruen, “It’s a positive statement in a negative world. I hope it becomes something that inspires people around the world to do their own versions. You shouldn’t go through life being afraid.”

Weitzman added that Gruen brought it to Yoko Ono’s attention, resulting in her becoming the campaign’s very first participant.

The song “We Are Not Afraid” was penned by Nigerian singer-songwriter Majek Fashek, and the music video shows all of the stars holding signs bearing the slogan We Are Not Afraid. It is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon and other major outlets with all proceeds being donated to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW).

In addition to the artists named above, the video includes appearances from Robert De Niro, Dr. Jane Goodall, Iggy Pop, Peter Gabriel, Jackson Browne, Chuck D, Galactica, Joe Walsh, Bonnie Raitt, Darlene Love, Debbie Harry, Dion, Elvis Costello, Grandmaster Flash, Jeff Tweedy, Shep Gordon and Susan Sarandon.

Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna in the “We Are Not Afraid” video

“We’re all together now!” said Ono while another participant, rock and country singer-songwriter Steve Earle, said, “We are a nation of immigrants, most of whom were refugees from one human tragedy or another. The very idea of closing our hearts and our borders out of fear of newcomers is the death of the American dream itself.”

For more information on “We Are Not Afraid” go here.

Watch the “We Are Not Afraid” video