Dixie Chicks launch campaign

2003-07-22 08:42

Los Angeles - The Dixie Chicks, who sparked a outcry when they slammed US President George W Bush before the invasion of Iraq, launched a drive on Tuesday to get youngsters to make their political voices heard.

The country trio - whose record sales plunged after lead singer Natalie Maines said she was ashamed Bush came from the same state as her during a performance - is trying to entice young women to vote.

The "Chicks Rock, Chicks Vote!" campaign is aimed at luring young women to the ballot box and boasts a website encouraging young people to speak out on political issues.

"It is important for young people to know they have the power to 'Rock the Vote'," the musicians said. "Only 36% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 voted in the last presidential election."

It was speaking out on a political issue that got Maines and her fellow Texans in hot water in March as Washington prepared to invade Iraq.

Her comment about Bush sparked a widespread US radio boycott of the group's music and prompted some fans to publicly trash their compact discs.

Maines eventually apologised for having, in the eyes of some, disrespected the office of the US president.

"My apology was for the words that I used, but not for the motivation behind the words and for my beliefs," she said. "And I think we have all stood behind that. And, you know, it scares other people for us to speak out."

Political activists believe the three performers still have a strong youth following that can be put to good use.

"The Dixie Chicks are enormously popular with young women, and they are perfect partners for 'Rock the Vote's' campaign," said Jehmu Greene, executive director of the drive.

Greene said the drive aimed to register 100 000 young voters in a bid to make youngsters a key battleground for next year's presidential elections.

- AFX