Bruce Springsteen calls the White House and announces a protest festival

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bruce Springsteen, the Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Brittany Howard and Joan Baez will headline a star-studded protest festival in the Washington, D.C., area a month before the midterm elections.

Read more: Bruce Springsteen launches US political tour with ‘Streets of Minneapolis’

Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello announced the festival Wednesday while performing together at Nationals Park in Washington as Springsteen wraps up his Land of American Hope and Dreams tour.

At Wednesday’s concert, Springsteen played several of his most political songs, including “American Skin (41 Shots),” about a fatal police shooting, and “Streets of Minneapolis,” a response to the killings of Rene Judd and Alex Peretti at the hands of federal immigration agents. “The Gestapo tactics of this president and this administration will not stop here,” Springsteen said.

“This American tragedy can only be stopped by the American people: you. No one will come to save us. We have to do it ourselves,” he said. “Join us and let us fight for the America we love. Do you hear me, Washington?”

The one-day, two-stage Power to the People festival is scheduled to take place on October 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, and is described as being about “freedom, justice, equality and rock ‘n’ roll.” A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales will benefit the VoteRiders and HeadCount Foundations.

“It’s about the power that everyday humans have when they come together through music, art, community, and work,” Morello said in a statement. “We are honored to bring this amazing lineup to the Capital Region for a day that celebrates the spirit of activism, creativity and hope.”

The festival will also feature Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Killer Mike, Taylor Momsen, Linda Linda, and more.

Springsteen has long criticized President Donald Trump, who in turn called for a boycott of Springsteen’s shows, calling him a “total hate-mongering loser.”

Read more: ‘No Kings’ rallies draw crowds across US and Europe as Springsteen headlines Minnesota rally

On Wednesday, Springsteen led the crowd in “Ice Out!” The chant encourages the public to make their voices heard all the way to the White House.

“Our democracy, our Constitution and the rule of law are being challenged now more than ever by a reckless, racist, incompetent and traitorous president and his ship of foolish administration,” Springsteen said.

“God bless Alex Peretti, God bless Rene Judd, God bless you, God bless America,” he said before launching into the final song of the night, “Freedom Beats.”