After receiving an email from a fan regarding Rise Against’s use of the American Flag upside down during their set, the band responded with the letter below.

Thanks for your email and your concern. As a band and as artists, one of the things we strive to do is push the envelope in an attempt to get a reaction from audiences in hopes of creating a dialogue that transcends music and guitars and catchy chorus'. As per your email; mission accomplished.

Referring to the same link you included in reference to the flag, it says never display it with the union down, except as a signal of distress. Well, that is that exact signal and message we are trying to send. A signal of distress. Far from a symbol of disrespect, we are sending the message that our country is in trouble and we use guidelines laid out by the government to express it artistically.

Regardless of what issue resonates with an individual more, whether it's America's involvement in two controversial wars, a failing economy, Wall Street bailouts, same-sex marriage, a broken healthcare system, civil liberties, freedom of speech or privacy issues, or many more; Rise Against feels that America is in distress and we choose to express that feeling in a language that is recognized by the guidelines in the link you included in your email. As a freedom of speech and a freedom of expression, we are proud to have that outlet at a show like last nights show and would not tolerate any threat to the freedom. To invoke the term "anti-American" irresponsibly is something that is libelous and slanderous and something that offends us as humans and Americans.

I'm glad that you brought up the issue of sponsors as well. Just like the many sponsors of the show last night might not agree with us, we don't always agree with them. We've been put in uncomfortable positions in the past as sponsors peddle products we might not necessarily agree with. But we have faith that our audience is smart and can make up their minds for themselves, whether it's about beer or Rise Against. We respect the sponsors right to be there as long as they respect ours.

As a band we did endorse Obama, and we believe in holding his feet to the fire like any leader and will continue to do so through our songs and through artistic protest like our decision to fly the flags in a symbol of distress.

I hope this clears up your fear that we as a band would disrespect a country we believe in and fight for a better tomorrow. We work closely with both the USO and the Iraq Veterans Against The War and cherish the time we've spent with soldiers backstage. Later in our set we touched on this, but I assume you were absent.

Love & Respect

Rise Against