By Anita Stewart, Managing Editor (Retired)

Released June 30, 2025

Single Review: “Alligator Alcatraz”

Artist: Green Thursday

“Alligator Alcatraz, a place nobody can escape, their only crime was a better life, working a job no white man would take…“

Framed explicitly as “a new human‑rights‑oriented song” by the virtually unknown Green Thursday, “Alligator Alcatraz” taps directly into the controversy around Florida’s proposed migrant detention center in the Everglades, infamously dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” in recent news coverage.

This song lands during a moment of widespread environmental and Indigenous-led protests by environmental and human rights organizations and the elders of the Miccosukee Tribe headed up by Betty Osceola. Hundreds are rallying for the rights of immigrants, lawsuits have already been filed and there is deep media backlash over ecological damage and sacred land infringement. It’s important to note that this has happened before. Green Thursday says: “We were inspired to write these lyrics by what we had seen in the 1973 classic film “Papillon.” (CLICK HERE to see the video).

The lyrics reference imagery of swamp confinement, cages, or “river-bound prisons” that mirror real-world holocaust detention tactics. Driving electronic riffs with emphatic vocal delivery and percussion that mimics the feeling of urgency. The emotional tone leans towards anger and defiance—a sonic counterpart to the political urgency around the issue.

“Alligator Alcatraz” by Green Thursday is a sharp, timely protest song that transforms a politically charged news moment into art. With topical relevance, strong messaging and an activist spirit, it stands as a cultural rallying cry— concise, forceful, and unapologetically in your face.

Rock at Night says: “This movement needs a rallying cry and this banger is just the song to do that. It will set souls on fire…”

“Songs are powerful weapons. They can expose lies, redistribute power… [They] can make you see the world in a different way,” Bob Dylan. That idea is exactly alive in “Alligator Alcatraz,” repurposing a geographic injustice into a sonic rallying cry.

“An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.” Nina Simone. Green Thursday is doing just that—mirroring the Everglades controversy back to us through art.

ROCK AT NIGHT PREMIERE

Green Thursday’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

***Lyrics are in the video description.

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Anita Stewart

Managing Editor at Rock at Night

Anita grew up in a rock and roll radio station that her father owned and has a musical family. Spent a few years singing back up. Now sings in the shower! She is a USAF veteran and was elected to local office and worked as staff on three presidential campaigns as a Social Media and Virtual Outreach expert. Plays a variety of musical instruments including ukulele and she loves drum circles. Her favorite music genres are all of them--Alternative to Zydeco. Promotes bands and independent artists through ANITA STEWART PROMOTIONS. She also brought SOFAR SOUNDS to Tampa. When she is not writing, she is knitting, painting, attending concerts and live music jams and exploring nature with her camera. She has recently retired but no rocking chair for her! She has been reporting for Rock at Night since 2014.

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Latest posts by Anita Stewart (see all)

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