“We interrupt this program with a special bulletin. America is now under martial law. Constitutional rights have been suspended.”Jello Biafra’s opening statement revealed the theme for his “Nonviolent Extermination of the Rich” spoken word performance Friday evening at Independence Hall.Biafra ranted about an American society that is becoming increasingly repressive toward creative freedom, the hypocrisy of our political system and the effects of corporations on our media and popular culture.Biafra was brought to campus by the OSU Green Party. In addition to being the leader of the seminal punk band Dead Kennedys, Biafra has been a presidential candidate on the Green Party ticket.The crowd of about 450 included both new and old school punks, Greens, hipsters, activists, students and at least one infant. Chris and Erica Price of Columbus brought their son Ethan Jello in hopes of getting a picture with Biafra.The show, which lasted four and a half hours, started about 30 minutes late because of problems with the wireless microphone, something that would hamper the performance throughout the evening.The most popular piece of the night centered on what Biafra called Hell-burbia and the fallout from the Columbine shootings. Biafra grew up in Boulder, Colo., and said that he knew the Columbine community quite well. The problems with “those kids” are not music and video games, he said, but parents and the community.”Lieberman is saying that the very music that made some troubled kid happy is what led them to kill themselves. It makes no sense,” Biafra said.People are finally realizing that high school does suck, he said, and that it could have been him, and in fact was him. As a result of the shootings, communities have clamped down on students’ freedom, pressuring them to fit in.”It’s open season on those kids,” he said.Biafra said he does spoken word and social commentary for a younger generation that grew up during the Reagan, Bush and Clinton eras, and as a result, do not know anything else but corporate influence over their lives, especially with the conglomeration of media.”Four out of five Americans haven’t seen jack (expletive) of this economic boom,” Biafra noted.He also made clear his views of the media’s portrayal of popular culture.”‘The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ can kiss our funky booty holes. We don’t care who wins on ‘Survivor,’ we care about surviving… Don’t hate the media – become the media,” he said.When it came to politics and the president, Biafra referred to the infamous CNN town meeting at St. John Arena. He said that politicians no longer meet directly with the people of America, because they are afraid another situation like that of the OSU townhall meeting might happen.He also thanked those in attendance who were at the town meeting because their questions that day saved innocent lives.The town meeting wasn’t the only OSU item on his agenda. Being in Columbus on the eve of the biggest football game of the year, Biafra, still the punk, asked, “Anyone want to dig up Woody Hayes’ grave?”Biafra’s mixture of humor and social commentary made the rants enjoyable. Though the program was long, the crowd remained attentive, often stopping him with loud applause and laughter. Biafra was speaking to his people. They already know the issues, but it is the presentation and style of Biafra that made the performance worthwhile.With the emphasis on freedom of expression, the night took a strange twist at intermission. A small group of students in the front row were exceptionally rowdy throughout the spoken word pieces, often finishing Biafra’s sentences before he did (most of the pieces are available on compact disc). As organizers approached them at intermission, others in the audience began to yell either “let them stay” or “kick them out.” Heather Miller, a Green Party representative, said rowdy students were disruptive, smoking, and drinking and that Biafra asked organizers to make the students leave.Miller said that University Police were called, and after some haggling over having their $10 ticket refunded, the students left. Outside of Independence Hall, the students were briefly questioned by police and then allowed to leave.”It was a minor disturbance in the grand scheme of this weekend,” said Lt. Alan Washer of the University Police.