Tom Morello launches new social justice project to celebrate late mother
Tom Morello has unveiled the Mary Morello Memorial Project in honour of his late mother, who passed away earlier this month at the staggering age of 102.
Mary was a teacher and lifelong activist who encouraged her son to embrace and investigate the political side of his musicianship, including his political science degree from Harvard.
Mary helped feed the poor during the Great Depression, protested against Jim Crow laws and unfair racial discrimination, and stood up against anti-colonial movements in support of a free Africa.
She was also the founder of the anti-censorship group, Parents for Rock and Rap.
Mary passed away on July 12th; the Rage Against The Machine guitarist originally postponed two shows back on June 16th to return home to look after his mother. On June 26th, he announced further postponements after Mary had been re-hospitalised.
Now, to honour his late mother, Tom has unveiled the Mary Mello Memorial Project, which sets out to gather funds for several charities close to their heart.
In a statement, Tom shared, “The Morello Family invites friends, family, and all those whose lives were touched by Mary Morello to honor her memory by helping to keep her legacy of compassion, courage and service alive.”
The statement added that “Donations to the Mary Morello Memorial Project will support organizations that were deeply meaningful to Mary throughout her life, and reflect the causes she passionately believed in and was proud to work alongside.”
These charities include UFW Foundation Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Frontiers), the Midnight Mission Jail Guitar Doors USA, Orphans of the Storm, All Chicago Corazón con Cuba, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and the Center for Native American Youth.
Beyond the charity, Tom also asked for friends and fans alike to “do as Mary did, and engage first hand in CARING, SERVICE & ACTION. Between now and Oct. 1st (which would have been Mary’s 103rd birthday) get out there and DO SOMETHING: volunteer, protest, speak up, speak out, walk a picket line, do political art & music, and help those in need in anyway you see fit in your community.”
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