BREAKING: Bruce Springsteen Cancels North Carolina Show Over Anti-LGBT Law HB2

‘Some Things Are More Important Than a Rock Show and This Fight Against Prejudice and Bigotry Is One of Them,’ Says Rock Icon

Bruce Springsteen has just canceled his show in Greensboro, North Carolina, scheduled for this Sunday, in direct response to Gov. Pat McCrory’s anti-LGBT law HB2. 

The rock icon, now 66, said refusing to play in the Tar Heel State “is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards.”

The musician, singer, songwriter and humanitarian in a statement on his official website and on Facebook writes, “North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the ‘bathroom’ law. HB2 — known officially as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act — dictates which bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use.”

“Just as important, the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace. No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden.” He calls HB2 “an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress.”

“Right now, there are many groups, businesses, and individuals in North Carolina working to oppose and overcome these negative developments,” Springsteen acknowledges. Some of them are multi-national corporations, like financial services giant PayPal, and others are North Carolina based businesses, like internet marketing company Red Ventures.

“Taking all of this into account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards.”

 

EARLIER:

BIG NEWS: Nation’s Top Mayors To Ban Taxpayer Funded Purchasing from North Carolina and Mississippi

One Day After Gov. McCrory Signed Anti-LGBT Law Top Studio Moved 100 North Carolina Jobs to Canada

WATCH: Powerful Video Exposes NC Gov. Pat McCrory’s Lies on Anti-LGBT Bill

 

Image by Patrick via Flickr and a CC license