Pearl Jam has cancelled this week’s concert in Raleigh, North Carolina days after performing in South Carolina.
North Carolina is the homophobe state of America. State government recently passed legislation discriminating against the basic rights of transgender people and has removed non-discrimination protections from the LGBT community within the state.
A statement released today from Pearl Jam reads:
It is with deep consideration and much regret that we must cancel the Raleigh show in North Carolina on April 20th.
This will be upsetting to those who have tickets and you can be assured that we are equally frustrated by the situation.
The HB2 law that was recently passed is a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens. The practical implications are expansive and its negative impact upon basic human rights is profound. We want America to be a place where no one can be turned away from a business because of who they love or fired from their job for who they are.
It is for this reason that we must take a stand against prejudice, along with other artists and businesses, and join those in North Carolina who are working to oppose HB2 and repair what is currently unacceptable.
We have communicated with local groups and will be providing them with funds to help facilitate progress on this issue.
In the meantime we will be watching with hope and waiting in line for a time when we can return.
Perhaps even celebrate.
With immense gratitude for your understanding,
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is urging fans to sign a petition against the new law at http://equalitync.org/action/repeal_HB2/ and tweet North Carolina governor Pat McCrory @PatMcCroryNC
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Never miss a story! Get your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to the Noise11 Music Newsletter here
Listen to the Noise11 Music News channel now at iHeartRadio
Follow Noise11.com on Facebook and Twitter
NOISE11 UPDATES are now in Apple News
