Tom Morello has launched the Mary Morello Memorial Project to honor his mother, who died earlier this month at age 102. The Rage Against the Machine guitarist announced the initiative on July 20 and called on supporters to engage in caring, service and action.
The project will raise funds for organizations including the UFW Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, The Midnight Mission, Jail Guitar Doors, Orphans of the Storm, All Chicago, Corazón for Cuba, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and the Center for Native American Youth.
Morello invited people to take direct action before October 1, which would have been his mother’s 103rd birthday. Participants are asked to volunteer, protest or help those in need and to share their efforts on Instagram by tagging @MaryMorelloMemorialProject.
Mary Morello was a teacher and activist who opposed Jim Crow laws, supported anti-colonial movements in Africa and spoke out against apartheid. Morello canceled UK and European appearances to care for her in her final days.
He recently collaborated with System of a Down’s Serj Tankian and his son Roman Morello on the single ‘Adjourn It’. Morello is scheduled to host the Power to the People festival on October 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, featuring Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters and Joan Baez.
