Features Jenn Colella, Alex Joseph Grayson, and Broadway Inspirational Voices to honor immigrant New York
[ARTWORK and BTS PHOTO SELECTS]
NEW YORK CITY – Today, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and two-time Tony Winner and NYCLU Artist Ambassador Shaina Taub (Suffs, Ragtime) released a newly-arranged single and music video for Taub’s song “Huddled Masses.” The NYCLU, Taub, and artists came together to record the new rendition to honor immigrant communities and to urge policymakers to protect New York immigrants by passing the New York for All Act.
The single features an inspired new arrangement by Allen René Louis and Ghreg Louis. It showcases Tony-nominated soloist Jenn Colella (Come from Away, Suffs), soloist Alex Joseph Grayson (Parade, The Outsiders), and members from the Grammy-nominated Broadway Inspirational Voices.
“I wrote this song back in 2017, inspired by the Emma Lazarus poem on the Statue of Liberty,” said NYCLU Artist Ambassador and ‘Huddled Masses’ composer Shaina Taub. “I strove to make it a gentle anthem to remind us that welcoming in the stranger is a value we share across faiths – and a value that is supposed to be foundational to our country. I hope hearing Allen Rene and Ghreg Louis’ gorgeous new arrangement of it, performed by all these magnificent singers, inspires us to ask ourselves what more we can do to support our immigrant neighbors, especially here in New York.”
“When Shaina reached out, I immediately knew this was a project I wanted to be part of,” said producer and arranger Allen René Louis. “As the son of immigrants, this message is both timely and deeply personal. Collaborating with my brother has been a true gift, and together we tried to create something that reflects both vulnerability and hope. We hope this song inspires listeners and serves as a reminder of the responsibility we share to care for one another and to lead with compassion.”
“When first hearing the original version of Huddled Masses, I immediately fell in love with its powerful lyrics and imagery,” said producer and arranger Ghreg Louis. “The lyrics painted a vivid picture in my mind: voices from every culture, every faith, every story, rising together with a shared purpose; unified in something greater than themselves. So we set out to create an arrangement that captured that spirit of unity. We hope as you listen to this song, that you are inspired to carry its message forward. The world needs it now more than ever.”
The song includes the Emma Lazarus sonnet ‘The New Colossus’ which is inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty to honor American immigrants. It reads in part, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
“Every justice movement needs songs we can march to, dance to, and sing out, and with ‘Huddled Masses’ Shaina has given us the anthem for our times,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “New Yorkers will not stop fighting the Trump administration’s relentless assault on our people and our freedoms. We are all part of this country’s ‘Huddled Masses,’ and as the songs says, every one of us must ‘remember what I stand here for.’”
The music video for “Huddled Masses” was directed by Jessica Sanders at Altina Films, music directed and orchestrated by Kareem Matcham and Ghreg Louis and executive produced by Ari Conte for the New York Civil Liberties Union. Taub is also releasing the single on digital and streaming platforms, with proceeds benefiting the work of the New York Civil Liberties Union.
About The New York for All Act
The New York for All Act keeps New York out of ICE’s dirty work. The bill broadly prohibits state and local officers from enforcing federal immigration laws, funneling people into ICE custody, and sharing sensitive information with federal immigration agents. It ensures that people in custody are informed of their rights before being interviewed by ICE. It also prohibits ICE and Border Patrol from entering non-public areas of state and local property without a judicial warrant and limits their access to state information databases.
About the New York Civil Liberties Union
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) advances civil rights and civil liberties so that all New Yorkers can live with dignity, liberty, justice, and equality. Founded in 1951 as the state affiliate of the national ACLU, we marshal an expert mix of litigation, policy advocacy, field organizing, and strategic communications. Informed by the insights of our communities and coalitions and powered by our supporters, we work across complex issues to create more justice and liberty for more people.
###
