Springsteen cancels NC show in solidarity!

[Jay Lerner-Z]

A statement from Bruce Springsteen on North Carolina

 
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

[SNAFU]

Thank-you Bruce!

 

[Broadwayboobs]

That's why he's the Boss ! BRAVO Bruce!

[CarlosAlberto]

I applaud Bruce Springsteen for showing the LGBTQ community of which I am a proud member of his support but reading his statement gave me chills.

 

 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.

 

That is downright scary, it's incomprehensible to me that in this day in age that such a law would be passed. It's wrong - - - dead wrong. We are American citizens, we are tax payers to marginalize us in this way is unconstitutional! 

 

I'm fucking angry that this is being allowed! Land of the free my ass! 

 

We are regressing as a nation, not progressing and it isn't lost on me that it's the Southern states that are doing this. The hate, racism and bigotry in that part of the nation runs deep. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PalJoey]

Wow.

[10086sunset]

It's nice to see Springsteen continuing to stand up for what he believes is right. 

[Luscious]

He rocks in more ways than one!

[yankeefan7]

"We are regressing as a nation, not progressing and it isn't lost on me that it's the Southern states that are doing this. The hate, racism and bigotry in that part of the nation runs deep. "

See below.

"On Feb. 22, Charlotte, N.C., passed an ordinance expanding North Carolina’s antidiscrimination laws so that LGBT people would also be granted protection in places of “public accommodation” — which, among other things, would allow transgender people to use the bathrooms of the gender they identify as. This ordinance was to go in effect on April 1."

This ordinance was overturned at the state level but I think it shows there is not as "deep" bigotry you think there is in places in the South

I have lived in Charlotte NC for 26 years and it is a great place to live. BTW - African-Americans have voted it as one of the top cities to live in this country. I am willing to bet minority groups in Charlotte NC have a lot better standard of living than they do in NY. The city of Charlotte has had two African-American mayors since I have lived here. Just pointing out a couple of things for people who talk badly about the South but have not lived there.

 

 


 

[yankeefan7]

Mr. Springsteen seems to be forgetting that he is hurting hard working people at this arena who take jobs at these events to make additional money for themselves and family. I will also add that many people who work at the concession stands do this as fund raiser to help the offset the cost of the children's sports team or other things like cheerleading, dance teams etc. What ever happened to honoring your commitment to perform? Why not perform and speak out against the law at the concert? Why not make statement at concert that this will be the last show you will play in NC unless the law is changed? This would make the point on how you feel about the law and not deprived people of income that were scheduled to work your show that night.

[Call_me_jorge]

^ok

[HorseTears]

Nice try, Yankeefan, but I had a big breakfast, so I'm not taking the bait.  

[yankeefan7]

Not trying to bait anyone and don't care if nobody responds. Have a good day.

[Steve C.]

I just read that Bryan Adams has cancelled a Concert on Thursday 4/14. We should remember in today's market, touring is how artists make a majority of their income; hopefully this will continue.

[yankeefan7]

"I just read that Bryan Adams has cancelled a Concert on Thursday 4/14. We should remember in today's market, touring is how artists make a majority of their income; hopefully this will continue."

 

I just wish if these artists do this that they bypass state on tour before they already have made a date and then cancel. Like I said before, it does not hurt people who will get their money refunded but it hurts people who work at arena who are trying to earn some extra money or fund raise for their children's activity.

[ghostlight2]

"I just wish if these artists do this that they bypass state on tour before they already have made a date and then cancel."

 

What to do if those dates were made long before the offending action causing the cancellation happened, which is obviously the case here? 

 

"Like I said before, it does not hurt people who will get their money refunded but it hurts people who work at arena who are trying to earn some extra money or fund raise for their children's activity."

 

Many of those people are union workers, and they understand the necessity of striking or boycotting to protect the rights of others. It's a sacrifice that has to be made. Also, it's worth mentioning that Springsteen has helped out when he has done such things in the past by donating money or holding a free concert.

 

"Why not perform and speak out against the law at the concert? Why not make [a] statement at [the] concert that this will be the last show you will play in NC unless the law is changed?"

 

Because that's no more than lip service, and the only people who would hear his message would be at the concert. This way it's national if not international news.

 

He did right by his conscience, and I believe he did the right thing.

[madbrian]

Greensboro is only abut 50 minutes from the VA state line, however it doesn't look like there is a big enough town to host a Springsteen concert in that immediate vicinity.  Too bad, it would have been great if he could find something that close, and give the Greensboro ticket holders first crack.

 

That said, he and Bryan Adams, as well as the businesses like PayPal, are doing the right thing.

[Kad]

The NC lawmakers who drafted this, voted for it, and signed this into law did so knowing full well of the potential consequences, particularly in the lost commerce in their state.

[artscallion]

Progress is not painless, otherwise we could all just stay on our couches thinking, "hey, stop that hate!" and it would happen. We all have to sacrifice for the benefit of the dignity of the oppressed.

 

[madbrian]

Personally, we have cancelled out travel plans to NC for this summer.  We've been thinking of NC as a potential retirement location, but it is off the list as long as this law stands.

[madbrian]

Also, looks like Deutsche Bank has put an expansion into NC on hold.

 

http://www.wsj.com/articles/deutsche-bank-freezes-north-carolina-expansion-citing-transgender-law-1460469042

[yankeefan7]

"Many of those people are union workers, and they understand the necessity of striking or boycotting to protect the rights of others. It's a sacrifice that has to be made. Also, it's worth mentioning that Springsteen has helped out when he has done such things in the past by donating money or holding a free concert."

Quite a few of the concession workers do it for fund raising for their children's activity and are not union workers. I was one of them many years ago and it helped cut the cost of my children's dance studio costs. 

 

[yankeefan7]

"He did right by his conscience, and I believe he did the right thing."

 

No problem with him following his conscience, just wish innocent workers did not have to lose income due to a decision they did not make.

[yankeefan7]

"The NC lawmakers who drafted this, voted for it, and signed this into law did so knowing full well of the potential consequences, particularly in the lost commerce in their state."

 

Since Governor McCrory is up for re-election in November, guess we will see what the voters in NC think about all of this.

[madbrian]

It is unfortunate that some folks will be impacted by the cancellation of this concert.  Hopefully, they and other North Carolinians will vote McCrory out of office this fall.

[yankeefan7]

"Personally, we have cancelled out travel plans to NC for this summer.  We've been thinking of NC as a potential retirement location, but it is off the list as long as this law stands."

 

Sad to hear that because NC is a wonderful and beautiful state with many great people. It has been growing quite a bit especially in Charlotte the last 5-10 years. I understand and respect you for following your beliefs.

[SNAFU]

"Since Governor McCrory is up for re-election in November, guess we will see what the voters in NC think about all of this."

 

 And THIS is the point of why the cancelations and pull outs are important! Yes, there IS collateral damage however, people have to learn that who they elect into office to represent them is important and not something to take lightly. It is a sad fact that people will not wake up till it hurts them financially.