GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Grand Rapids is honoring The Clash, a world-famous English punk rock band, by proclaiming Friday, Feb. 7 as “International Clash Day.”

Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss signed the proclamation signed last week.

“The punk ethos of The Clash goes hand in hand with the progressive spirit of Grand Rapids, Michigan, by supporting individual liberty, diversity and inclusion – in the words of Joe Strummer, ‘People can change anything they want to, and that means everything in the world,’” according to the proclamation Bliss signed on Jan. 30.

Joe Strummer, who she cites, was the band’s lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. The Clash are best known for their album “London Calling” and hits like “Rock the Casbah,” "Train in Vain,” “I Fought the Law” and “Should I Stay or Should I Go.”

The Clash formed in 1976 and broke up in 1986. In the proclamation, Bliss notes The Clash added to our “local culture” when they played a “raucous” show Aug. 14, 1984 in the city. The show actually occurred two years earlier.

The proclamation names them “a band intent upon channeling their generation’s angst and attitude into a socially conscious message and a call to action.”

Declaring Feb. 7 as International Clash Day traces back to a 2013 proclamation by a Seattle radio DJ, "engaging governments, radio stations, record stores and citizens around the world in a common cause of public service,” according to the city.

Since then, about a dozen cities have recognized the day, said Second Ward Grand Rapids City Commissioner Milinda Ysasi, who brought the request to the mayor’s office.

The theme this year is "Clash For Climate,” according to the radio station that bore the holiday.

“Leading up to and during International Clash Day, we’ll be celebrating artists around the world who are confronting the climate crisis as well as highlighting activists, public servants, and organizations who are working toward solutions for our planet’s dire situation,” officials from the station, KEXP, wrote on their website. “Even as Earth feels the clampdown, the pathway to a new day isn’t out of reach.”

The belief that Grand Rapids aligns with the punk ethos of The Clash is rooted in the city’s focus on equity and renewable energy, according to Bliss’ proclamation.

“This belief is mirrored in the City’s strategies to create and support equitable programs and policies to reduce carbon emissions from the building and transportation sectors throughout the community, including the City’s commitment to powering its municipal operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025.''

Bliss was unavailable for comment.

Ysasi was made aware of the holiday by city resident Matthew Patulski, who was also unavailable for comment. Patulski shared with Ysasi that the holiday is more than just honoring the legendary punk rockers, she said.

“It was really about the values that The Clash and the lyrics were talking about,” she said of the proclamation. “The Clash wasn’t just a band, it was really about raising awareness very early on about some of the social issues of the day, calling to action that people get involved in their community.”

Some of the past holidays have promoted anti-racism, inclusion and welcoming refugees, she said.

Ysasi said she believes Grand Rapids is punk enough to honor the group.

“I do think we have the spirit of people in different communities and neighborhoods who have said we want to change something, we want to do something different in our city, and to me that is the punk spirit,” she said.

“I don’t think we’d be the city we are today without people who have had a little punk in their lives.”

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