Bruce Springsteen Cancels North Carolina Concert Because of HB-2 (Statement from Springsteen)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Backstreets.com / ABC 11 WTVD-TV

SPRINGSTEEN CANCELS NORTH CAROLINA CONCERT BECAUSE OF HB-2

Updated 31 mins ago
GREENSBORO (WTVD) -- Bruce Springsteen canceled Sunday's concert in Greensboro, citing HB-2 and the rights of LGBT citizens.

Springsteen wrote in a statement to fans that the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act is "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."

Springsteen apologized to his fans on his website and tweeted a link to his entire statement. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.

SPRINGSTEEN AIN'T GONNA PLAY NC

As announced today, the E Street Band's River Tour stop planned for this Sunday night in North Carolina has been canceled, "with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro." Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. The cancellation is, as Bruce Springsteen wrote in a statement published this afternoon on brucespringsteen.net, "in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."

A statement from Bruce Springsteen on North Carolina

As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, 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. To my mind, it’s 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. 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

http://backstreets.com/news.html

Read more: http://abc11.com/entertainment/bruce-springsteen-cancels-north-carolina-concert-because-of-hb-2/1282869/

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I live in North Carolina and have a Pit ticket to the show (a really good one where you can get close to the stage). This is ENTIRELY the fault of our idiot bigoted right-wing legislators, and our idiot governor, McCrory. The law should NEVER have been passed.

[PatV]

1. Is Brice Bruce's younger brother?

[phazed0]

2. Even more respect for Bruce Springsteen..

Let this send a message to states that are largely comprised of (political) bigots.

[carolinayellowdog]

15. Blaming the victims is always nasty-- NC is NOT largely comprised of bigots

but the successful gerrymandering in 2010 insured that even though more voters cast votes for Democrats than Republicans, they never end up with as many seats in the legislature.

Living right on the line and spending half my time on the NC side, it would be easy for me to think Virginians are inherently superior-- but we're not. We are damn lucky to have McAuliffe but his victory resulted from factors similar to those that propelled McCrory to victory in NC. VA is a very squeaky clean government state on both sides of the aisle, and the McDonnell debacle was the first time in a long life that I ever heard a hint of corruption in the affairs of a governor. Unfortunately, NC Dems, once far stronger than those here in VA, were plagued by one corruption scandal after another (Easleys, Jim Black, John Edwards) which gave ammo to the evil Republicans to take over and destroy the state.

I support Springsteen's actions but see them as SUPPORT for the PEOPLE of NC against their evil and illegitimate state government, NOT just retribution for the sins of the populace.

[phazed0]

17. I agree with you.

I wanted to distinguish between the "people" and the "politicians" as not to degrade the NC populous. That may not have been entirely clear, if not, my apologies.

I also am in VA, South of Richmond. I usually make my way to NC for the beaches once every year or two.

[carolinayellowdog]

22. Thanks, you will appreciate how McAuliffe is capitalizing on this situation

I'm in Martinsville where he just appeared this week to celebrate expansion of a local manufacturing enterprise. Must admit I was biased against him for being such an a-hole on Clinton's behalf in 08, but in his local TV interview this week he hit the ball out of the park. Said all businesses leaving NC were more than welcome to relocate here. And many other positive things, pro-LGBT among other issues.

Was fool enough to vote for Edwards in the 04 primary and would have again in 08 if he hadn't dropped out. He may be more responsible than anyone for destroying the D brand in NC but with McCrory and co. destroying the R brand I can only pray for a win for Cooper who is well-respected.

[AlbertCat]

21. Not to mention Bank of America, and its old pissing contest with Wachovia...

..... a major factor in the lousy economy. There is a ton of conservative money and the money machine pulling strings.

In the '50s, '60s and '70s NC was known a "The State of the Arts"... because of the Back Mt. School and the NC School of the Arts (the 1st state supported school for performing arts). And remember Senator Sam from the Watergate scandal?


Then the Reagan years started.....

But we were bouncing back and voted for Obama in '08. Well, we can't have that! So the Kochs targeted the state... and we still just missed voting for Obama in '12...

But now we have a dumb-bunny Teabagger legislature who "governs" by pet peeve and a wimpy governor under Duke Power's thumb.

Just like Iraq, every time the Conservatives use their great ideas to try to create a Conservative Paradise, it's a disaster!

[PatV]

3. FYI = I wasn't being mean. I thought it was funny.

[Hissyspit]

4. I know.

Typing on phone.

[PatV]

11. Ahhh. You certainly have my sympathy in regard to the surfing the web on a phone. I completely

understand and my sympathy comes from mutual experience.

In fact, can I delete it now that you changed it?

[merrily]

5. Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce!

[nyabingi]

6. As a native North Carolinian and Charlottean

I'd like to thank dumb ass Tea Party Pat for embarrassing not only Charlotte and North Carolina as a whole.

We've got to vote this clown out of office in November.

[mnhtnbb]

9. Send Roy Cooper a few $$ if you can.

[nyabingi]

10. Yep! (nt)

[Jackie Wilson Said]

7. I know how disappointed you must be. But Bruce is The Boss and a stand-up guy

But it must suck to have had those tix and then this.

[mnhtnbb]

8. Good for The Boss.

I cannot wait to vote out McCrory in November and have been giving $$ to Roy Cooper.

Since I live in Chapel Hill--that oasis of blue--neither my Dem Rep nor Senator supported this hateful legislation.

But now that Rovian Bush bot the Board of Governors hired to head the University system has decreed that all
the Chancellors must follow HB 2. I'd like to send her a$$ back to Texas, too.

[Seedersandleechers]

12. The dumb fucks in Missouri are working on passing

the "freedom of religion law" which the NCAA and Big Twelve tournaments have already threatened to relocate if that passes. I just can't get my head around that type of mentality.

[elljay]

16. Sports is the key

If colleges refused to play games in Missouri, Mississippi, NC and other states with these atrocious laws, they would back down quickly. Sports is the main religion in these states.

[Journeyman]

13. Regrettable that those effected most by this decision are probably strongly opposed to HB-2. . .

though nice that Bruce, and other corporations, are making a stand for the rights of the true victims in this travesty.

Money. It's the one language everyone understands. Even bigots.

[Marrah_G]

26. Hopefully it will piss off enough people to get them to vote these clowns out.

[wiggs]

14. Let's see this at the top of news shows tonight. It's big. nt

[Kurska]

18. Not sure about this one

Deciding not to move your employees to a state that doesn't offer them full protection under the law is one thing. Deciding to avoid an artistic endeavor in that state is another. Then again, it is completely up to Mr. Springsteen where he does or doesn't want to play.

I don't think cultural boycotts tend to be productive, then again rock concert is more of a economic endeavor than a purely artistic one, so who knows.

[yardwork]

19. The Republican Party is supposed to be about economic development.

Hitting them in their wallets is the only way to get their attention. The Repubs have allowed themselves to be colonized by bigots, and it's coming to a head.

For those of us who are gay, we watch our lives treated as political footballs. We're up, then we're down, depending on who wants to get elected.

The only way to protect minority rights is to make it too expensive for the Republicans to embrace bigotry.

It's just business to them.

Thanks, Bruce. I'm sorry it came to this. Thanks for having my back. And thanks for the concert in Greensboro in 1983, and the one in Chapel Hill in 1984. Damn, I'm tearing up.

[Kurska]

20. I'm gay and I agree

I just draw a distinction between economic, cultural and academic boycotts. Economic boycotts are a great idea, but cultural and academic boycotts to me seem counter productive. You can't change minds if you don't speak to the person whose mind you want to change. I wonder if it would have been more effective for him to come and speak on the issue during the concert. If he is concerned about improving pumping up their GDP, just make it a free concert.

Lots aways of doing it, though I do understand the qualitative difference between say putting on a Pro-LGBT play and a rock concert in terms of which I'm less bothered by someone deciding not to do to boycott a discriminatory place.

[Zorra]

23. Thanks. Bruce! Cover us, darlin'.

[Major Hogwash]

24. Born Gay in the USA; Bruce should do a special version of his trademark song.

This guy is for real when it comes to standing up for people against the bullies of this world.

I was a fan before, but now I'm a fan for life!
Only 2 other musicians were as real as this to me before today, John and George.
They always spoke out against the injustices done to minorities and tried to spread the message of peace to the rest of the world.

Now, Bruce joins that small, resolute league of champions, and the world is better for it.

[pressbox69]

25. Way to go Bruce

Unlike most republican chameleons you never changed your American Skin.

[Ken Burch]

28. He's still the boss. Sorry you had to lose your good seat.

This too shall pass.

[sarcasmo]

29. Bruce!