Caelen Perkins is back with a fierce folk punk anthem in “Hold the Lines,” a fast-paced protest song aimed squarely at U.S. immigration enforcement. Built on rapid acoustic guitar strumming in true folk punk style, the song feels urgent from the first chord. This isn’t just political songwriting, it feels deeply personal to his experiences. Perkins’ lyrics cut straight to the point with lines like “Evil men with evil eyes,” setting the tone for a song about resistance and survival. One of the most powerful moments comes with the line:
“Crowds of unarmed people chanting you won’t take our family… we’re fighting for humanity.”
Perkins has explained the song comes from real experience: his best friend was detained by immigration officers and missing from official databases for days. Writing “Hold the Lines” became a way to process that fear and anger, and you can hear that urgency in every verse.
The song arrives at a time when immigration enforcement is a major flashpoint in the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is responsible for arresting, detaining, and deporting people for immigration violations. Recent years have seen expanded enforcement, including increased arrests and a major hiring push that has intensified operations across the country. These policies have sparked protests nationwide, with demonstrators opposing raids and deportations and calling for accountability from federal immigration agencies.
That real-world tension is exactly what “Hold the Lines” captures. The protest lyrics are meaningful and direct, channeling the spirit of people standing together against forces that threaten their communities.
The track ends with a powerful group chant that sounds like it was recorded in the middle of a protest crowd, turning the song into something bigger than just a recording. It feels like a call to action.
“Hold the Lines” is a folk punk protest song meant to inspire people, and we hope that it gets you inspired enough to attend a protest! The time for action is now.
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Written by Ryan Cassata
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Rock the Pigeon is an independent music and culture blog dedicated to uplifting emerging artists, spotlighting underrepresented voices, and sharing fresh sounds across genres. Since 2012, we’ve been celebrating creativity, authenticity, and the stories behind the songs.
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