Pearl Jam Cancels 4/20 Raleigh, NC Concert in Opposition to HB2; Official Band Statement

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Comments

  • ryanjepryanjep Posts: 130
    One thing that often gets overlooked in HB2 is that cities can no longer raise minimum wage on their own. Minimum wage would have to be raised at the state level. I know it's a much smaller issue than the discrimination and rightly so but I still like pointing it out since it gets little coverage and i've seen people call this the "bathroom bill".
  • JJ262810JJ262810 Posts: 4
    choop said:


    Tons of respect for Pearl Jam today. You can compare this to laws in other states or conditions in other countries or whatever, but that's silly. The national focus is on this one. As it should be. Discrimination based on any factor in a government sanctioned form is no good.

    Oh yea cause current issues in Chicago are not in the news. They are playing two shows there, but I highly doubt they cancel those since they are so close to Ricketts, Emanuel and the boys.

  • jeffwalshjeffwalsh Posts: 169
    Neillo189 said:

    I believe that was their intention.

    Well said, I get the anger, but hopefully this is where most will land... maybe?
  • choopchoop Posts: 1,060
    JJ262810 said:

    choop said:


    Tons of respect for Pearl Jam today. You can compare this to laws in other states or conditions in other countries or whatever, but that's silly. The national focus is on this one. As it should be. Discrimination based on any factor in a government sanctioned form is no good.

    Oh yea cause current issues in Chicago are not in the news. They are playing two shows there, but I highly doubt they cancel those since they are so close to Ricketts, Emanuel and the boys.

    i like that this is the part you focused on. you think you have some type of winning narrative with this argument, but you don't.
    "If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph: The only proof he needed for the existence of God was music." KV Jr.
  • BF89905BF89905 Posts: 1,421
    I am really sympathetic for those that lost money on pre-booked travel plans. Would an earlier decision, approximately around the time when Springsteen cancelled his show, made a difference for the fans that are losing out on travel expenses?
    This HB2 law is an abhorrent, discriminatory piece of legislation. To quote Macklemore :) : It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference!
    Be empahetic and kind to others...... have a good week everyone
  • Mike D88Mike D88 Tampa Posts: 724
    JJ262810 said:

    choop said:


    Tons of respect for Pearl Jam today. You can compare this to laws in other states or conditions in other countries or whatever, but that's silly. The national focus is on this one. As it should be. Discrimination based on any factor in a government sanctioned form is no good.

    Oh yea cause current issues in Chicago are not in the news. They are playing two shows there, but I highly doubt they cancel those since they are so close to Ricketts, Emanuel and the boys.

    Nobody cares about your AM radio talking points.
    i-Brzk3Rdjpg
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  • SeaSea Posts: 3,046
    Please remember: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/228366/forum-posting-guidelines
    Discuss, disagree and debate politely. It's possible to disagree with people without being abusive, and it's a requirement here.
    Thank you
  • pljampljam Posts: 387
    I would have thought a concert was the ideal platform to be vocal in ones disapproval on this law
    Play the show .reinterate throughout your beliefs for or against,obviously against ,let's face it ,Ed speaks people listen he processes that gift
    It's really harsh on the fans that were traveling ,paid accommodation,took leave etc
    I am not sure if it is the correct stance cancelling and do see the power it pushes by doing so but equally I think the spear hurts a lot trying to hit its target
    I am from Aus so it doesn't impact me one bit apart from the fact I feel very sorry for the fans as reasons mentioned above
  • KR151056KR151056 Posts: 16
    1 - 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.

    THIS SMACKS OF "ME TOO". ZERO ORIGINALITY!
    DEEP CONSIDERATION ONLY ALLOWED YOU TO GIVE US 2 DAYS NOTICE? TSK TSK!

    WHY HAVE ANY REGRETS? BE THE BIGGER PARTY AND PLAY ON!

    2 - 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.

    HB2 WAS NOT PASSED BY NC VOTERS! IT WAS DONE ON THE SLY BY SITTING LEGISLATURE.

    ADDITIONALLY, NO ONE CAN LEGISLATE LOVE. ED COMMENTS REGULARLY ABOUT JUDGING PEOPLE BECAUSE OF WHO THEY LOVE. IS THAT GUILT???? OR IS HE ASSUMING PJ'S FAN BASE IS A BUNCH OF BIGOTS? #INSULTING

    3 - 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.

    WAIT. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PJ THAT TOOK THEIR OWN APPROACH? WHY NOT PLAY RALEIGH AND MAKE IT A CALL TO ACTION, AND UTILIZE ALL THOSE ATTENDING? WHY TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT LIKE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND JUST BE A NO SHOW?

    IF YOU'RE GOING TO BECOME FOLLOWERS, WHY NOT LOOK TO HOW CYNDI LAUPER, LOUIS CK, AND MUMFORD & SONS LEAD AND DONATE PROCEEDS?



    4 - We have communicated with local groups and will be providing them with funds to help facilitate progress on this issue.

    HOW ABOUT SPEAKING TO PJ FANS WHO LOST WAGES, VACATION DAYS, TICKET FEES, TICKET COST, TRAVEL, ETC. AND FACILITATE THEM RECOUPING THEIR FUNDS. WE ALL PAID FOR A ROCK CONCERT, NOT TO BE PAWNS IN PJ'S POLITICAL AGENDA.

    #WWMBD

    In the meantime we will be watching with hope and waiting in line for a time when we can retur
  • jeffwalshjeffwalsh Posts: 169
    ryanjep said:

    One thing that often gets overlooked in HB2 is that cities can no longer raise minimum wage on their own. Minimum wage would have to be raised at the state level. I know it's a much smaller issue than the discrimination and rightly so but I still like pointing it out since it gets little coverage and i've seen people call this the "bathroom bill".

    There is also something that removes the right of state workers to sue under an anti-discrimination law, which I think means people have to sue federally as a first step. There's a lot of chestnuts in this trans trojan horse bill.

    I've been a member of this site since 2006, and this is the issue that it going to make me cross 100 posts?! Lordy.
  • Ledbetterman10Ledbetterman10 Posts: 16,917
    jeffwalsh said:

    But wasn't the intent of this law to designate which bathroom to use? So that transgendered people don't have to wonder which one they should use or which one might offend people. Again, I'm of the understanding that this was the lawmakers intent. I don't think there was any malice behind it. But again, I'm not complete sure about all aspects of the issue.

    It is the opposite, it makes trans people use the opposite bathroom than they want to use, and puts trans people at risk, such as a trans woman being forced to use a men's room against her will. It is a made up law based on no incidents of their sexual predator fantasies ever happening. The last thing a trans person in a bathroom wants it to be ID'd as a trans person in a bathroom.

    As for malice, the group behind the bathroom bills is the Liberty Counsel, an evangelical Christian group that is also behind the "religious freedom" laws, so people who hate gay people get a special license to discriminate that supercedes the non-discrimination laws that exist to protect LGBT citizens. Definitely malice.

    http://www.advocate.com/religion/2016/4/14/liberty-counsel-admits-its-behind-bathroom-bills-nationwide-video
    Okay you've noted how a trans woman using the men's bathroom against her will could lead to an assault by a sexual predator. Which is a great point. So someone that identifies as a woman should go in the woman's room right? That's what Pearl Jam wants here. Okay but to play devil's advocate, if that were the system (you go into the bathroom of the sex you identify with), couldn't a predator just dress up as a woman to gain access to the woman's room? It's not like there's someone checking your genitals at the door. So couldn't a super-duper-creep-to-end-all-creeps put on a front of a transgendered person that has transitioned from man to woman and gain access to the woman's room for predatory reasons? I know that's kind of an extreme hypothetical. But it's the kind of thing this discussion brings about I guess.
    2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024Philly 2

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  • Sprunkn7Sprunkn7 Posts: 5,286
    All i have to say is true colors coming out here tonight. Holy crap.
    Thank you fellow 10 clubber for saving my ass....again!!!
  • PureandEasyPureandEasy Posts: 5,805
    Well I for one have a flight out first thing on the morning and will now be spending two days in Raleigh with nothing yo do but explore the city. So I will be spending money there anyway. What are my options, sitting in a hotel for two days??? I'm not totally surprised but its a little late in the game to cancel.
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • DR295987DR295987 Posts: 31

    Proud to be a fan of this band today. Ashamed to be a part of this fan base. I get it. I would be upset too. We all look so forward to these shows. But the selfishness and childishness is ridiculous. The band is not punishing you. You are collateral damage. It sucks. It's just that the band thinks the civil rights of others are more important than your concert. End story. It's also unfortunate to see tough life lessons being learned about purchasing non-refundable rooms and flights to an event that can very much be cancelled. Hopefully this law gets fixed and someday they come back and make everyone happy.

    the band is punishing me yo the tune of about $1000 in travel costs no to mention a weeks worth if vacation time... calling it collateral damage is disingenuous at best...but hey you're not out the money because of a stupid law you had nothing to do with
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 16,025
    edited April 2016
    We learned today we can do whatever we want (like inviting 15,000 people to a party you organized and canceling on them last minute). It is a free for all now. Post away people! There is no more authority on this board! It may be inconvenient to the mods but they can deal with it. It is for the greater good. Freedom of speech and expression. Yeah, that sounds good!
    Post edited by bootlegger10 on
  • RBKitajRBKitaj Posts: 3
    Long time Pearl Jam fan but new here so I apologize if I make a few missteps. Glad that the North Carolina cancellation has led to a spirited conversation. As the parent of a transgender kid, I am touched deeply by Pearl Jam's actions. Transgender folk - whom the hateful #HB2 law in North Carolina use in a cynical fear mongering travesty of justice - are at extreme risk without new laws putting pressure on them. These terrible new laws put an incredible amount of strain upon an already oppressed group. For those just learning about the topic - Zach Stafford in The Guardian reports that,"An analysis of data compiled by the National Transgender Discrimination Survey last month shows that when young people are denied access to a restroom that aligns with their gender identity, their rates of suicide go up.

    Translation: not allowing trans youth to use a bathroom only perpetuates feelings of isolation or depression that lead 41% of transgender people to attempt kill themselves at some point in their lives, compared to the 4.6% in the general population.

    This finding should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds as this bill takes effect in North Carolina, and as other proposed legislation moves forward in states like Kansas, where officials have proposed a bill that would allow someone to sue a public school if they saw a transgender person in a bathroom that didn’t match their sex assigned at birth. (Who is going to be checking people’s genitals if this passes? And isn’t that assault?)

    Beyond the research, suicide in North Carolina is a very personal topic for many activists and leaders I have spoken to over years reporting on LGBT violence in the state, where sources have told me that this is one of the biggest concerns they see in their community daily.

    Since 2014, the city of Charlotte, which passed the original LGBT non-discrimination ordinance that sparked this new anti-trans bill, has had at least four trans youths take their own lives. One of them was a local homecoming king."
    More at: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/24/north-carolina-anti-transgender-bathroom-law-dangerous-discrimination

    Pearl Jam has gone to bat for my kid and others in the LGBT community.
    And it is not just a message about North Carolina. 100+ anti-LGBT bills are pending in the United States: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lgbt-state-bills-discrimination_us_570ff4f2e4b0060ccda2a7a9

    Thanks for reading my post.
  • froggsfroggs Posts: 17
    I'm sorry for the fans in NC but totally agree with the cancellation and I expected it from this band having been a fan since I first heard Jeremy. Did people forget that Pearl Jam has always been vocal about social issues and politics? If they should cancel the Chicago concerts due to our shit situation here, well, so be it. I'll get my refund and wait to see them next time. Sometimes you have to take a stand for what you think is right even if it hurts. Peace.
  • BCBABCBA Utah with the mailman Posts: 220
    I feel for those who are disappointed. Sucks, but that's what we get with a politically charged band
  • choopchoop Posts: 1,060

    jeffwalsh said:

    But wasn't the intent of this law to designate which bathroom to use? So that transgendered people don't have to wonder which one they should use or which one might offend people. Again, I'm of the understanding that this was the lawmakers intent. I don't think there was any malice behind it. But again, I'm not complete sure about all aspects of the issue.

    It is the opposite, it makes trans people use the opposite bathroom than they want to use, and puts trans people at risk, such as a trans woman being forced to use a men's room against her will. It is a made up law based on no incidents of their sexual predator fantasies ever happening. The last thing a trans person in a bathroom wants it to be ID'd as a trans person in a bathroom.

    As for malice, the group behind the bathroom bills is the Liberty Counsel, an evangelical Christian group that is also behind the "religious freedom" laws, so people who hate gay people get a special license to discriminate that supercedes the non-discrimination laws that exist to protect LGBT citizens. Definitely malice.

    http://www.advocate.com/religion/2016/4/14/liberty-counsel-admits-its-behind-bathroom-bills-nationwide-video
    Okay you've noted how a trans woman using the men's bathroom against her will could lead to an assault by a sexual predator. Which is a great point. So someone that identifies as a woman should go in the woman's room right? That's what Pearl Jam wants here. Okay but to play devil's advocate, if that were the system (you go into the bathroom of the sex you identify with), couldn't a predator just dress up as a woman to gain access to the woman's room? It's not like there's someone checking your genitals at the door. So couldn't a super-duper-creep-to-end-all-creeps put on a front of a transgendered person that has transitioned from man to woman and gain access to the woman's room for predatory reasons? I know that's kind of an extreme hypothetical. But it's the kind of thing this discussion brings about I guess.
    it's not only an extreme hypothetical, it's just ludicrous. first of all, what you are describing is already illegal and still very much a threat regardless of the laws on the books.

    europe, and some parts of the US, including Brooklyn where I recently was for work, as well as several locations on the west coast have unisex bathrooms that are NOT single occupancy, and you share a sink and then there are just many individual stalls. you'd be hard pressed to find a strong correlation between this and instances of sexual assault, because it doesn't happen because of the who is and is not allowed in the bathrooms.

    sexual predators aren't going to even dress up, they are just going to go into the bathroom.

    this is honestly one of the weaker arguments in support of the bill. if someone wants to assault you in a bathroom, they aren't not going to because the rules say they can't go in that bathroom.
    "If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph: The only proof he needed for the existence of God was music." KV Jr.
  • jeffwalshjeffwalsh Posts: 169

    Okay but to play devil's advocate, if that were the system (you go into the bathroom of the sex you identify with), couldn't a predator just dress up as a woman to gain access to the woman's room? It's not like there's someone checking your genitals at the door. So couldn't a super-duper-creep-to-end-all-creeps put on a front of a transgendered person that has transitioned from man to woman and gain access to the woman's room for predatory reasons? I know that's kind of an extreme hypothetical. But it's the kind of thing this discussion brings about I guess.

    No, because being trans doesn't give you a magic pass to legally be a sexual predator, for which there are already laws in place. Not to mention, it would be creating a law in advance of anyone ever actually doing the thing in question to begin with. If a guy wants to go into a women's restroom and be a creep, that's illegal. Plus, few people can just decide to "be trans" when they want, they usually have new ID, take hormones, have the entire wardrobe of their desired gender, etc. It is only some states that mandate gender confirmation surgery to change a birth certificate, many do not. But even in those states, you can often get a driver's license and other things. It is sadly very inconsistent from state to state right now.
  • Pearl Jam objects to the state of North Carolina treating its transgender citizens as pawns in a game of petulant, fundamentalist nonsense by . . . treating its fans and RBC Center staff as pawns in their own political agenda. "If you hate something / Don't ya do it too."

    The local chapter of GLAAD practically begged entertainers to keep their dates and raise awareness and money for the good fight. Oh well, my wallet won't be quite as light this week, but I do feel bad for fans who traveled to North Carolina for the show. Despite what Pearl Jam and others on this board insinuate, we are not a state full of bible-thumping hatemongers. If you do make it to the Tarheel State, then I hope you enjoy yourself. If interested, I can recommend some fine breweries and entertainment options.

    Pearl Jam, Springsteen, Ringo Starr and other multimillionaires sacrifice NOTHING by retreating from one concert date in North Carolina. They punish fans, who for the most part share their political viewpoint and have voted AGAINST the state's elected officials, more than they advance the cause of civil rights. Count me among that group of fans who have a strong liberal voting record and oppose my state's trampling of civil rights (and overall troubled political history).

    I have been expecting this cancellation for the past 10 days for the same tired reasons cited by "freedom fighter" Broose. That it took so long to announce suggests that not every member of the Pearl Jam organization was fully on board.

    Also, it would not surprise me if the Raleigh show had the least amount of fan interest and the lowest projected turnout. I recall the lottery odds were best for this show. Save time, save money, skip Raleigh.

    I'm so disappointed, but I'm advancing rapidly through the stages of grief. Are resignation and disgust on that scale?
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  • KV4053KV4053 Mike's side, crushed up against the stage Posts: 1,503
    Perhaps you're right. We're still equating fans of a rock band (who all must be relatively privileged to even think about affording to pay for airfare just to see their favorite band) to a group of people that are being denied basic human rights. Like I said, bummed for these fans, but there are much more important issues in this world than whether or not you get your rock show. Depressed to see the selfishness on here today.

    You make an excellent point. Well done
    I know I was born and I know that I'll die. The in between is mine.
  • jeffwalshjeffwalsh Posts: 169
    edited April 2016
    RBKitaj said:

    Pearl Jam has gone to bat for my kid and others in the LGBT community. And it is not just a message about North Carolina. 100+ anti-LGBT bills are pending in the United States

    Thanks for sharing!
    Post edited by jeffwalsh on
  • OceansMagnetOceansMagnet Posts: 1,033
    Someone needs to book a Pearl Jam cover band like Right Now and have a fundraiser for NC LGBTQ legal defense groups on 4/20 like right fucking now.
  • jeffwalshjeffwalsh Posts: 169

    Also, it would not surprise me if the Raleigh show had the least amount of fan interest and the lowest projected turnout.

    When I checked yesterday, for a single ticket, I was offered the last row of the third and final level up, in the back corner furthest away from the stage. So, there goes that theory...
  • LetsGoMteersLetsGoMteers New Bern, NC Posts: 157
    BF89905 said:

    I am really sympathetic for those that lost money on pre-booked travel plans. Would an earlier decision, approximately around the time when Springsteen cancelled his show, made a difference for the fans that are losing out on travel expenses?
    This HB2 law is an abhorrent, discriminatory piece of legislation. To quote Macklemore :) : It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference!
    Be empahetic and kind to others...... have a good week everyone

    If they would have cancelled the same time as Bruce yes it would have saved me about $480
    2016 Columbia, SC
  • Mike D88Mike D88 Tampa Posts: 724
    edited April 2016

    couldn't a predator just dress up as a woman to gain access to the woman's room?

    You could do that before, and yet nobody did. That was the exact straw man used to support the bill.
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  • Ledbetterman10Ledbetterman10 Posts: 16,917
    jeffwalsh said:

    Okay but to play devil's advocate, if that were the system (you go into the bathroom of the sex you identify with), couldn't a predator just dress up as a woman to gain access to the woman's room? It's not like there's someone checking your genitals at the door. So couldn't a super-duper-creep-to-end-all-creeps put on a front of a transgendered person that has transitioned from man to woman and gain access to the woman's room for predatory reasons? I know that's kind of an extreme hypothetical. But it's the kind of thing this discussion brings about I guess.

    No, because being trans doesn't give you a magic pass to legally be a sexual predator, for which there are already laws in place. Not to mention, it would be creating a law in advance of anyone ever actually doing the thing in question to begin with. If a guy wants to go into a women's restroom and be a creep, that's illegal. Plus, few people can just decide to "be trans" when they want, they usually have new ID, take hormones, have the entire wardrobe of their desired gender, etc. It is only some states that mandate gender confirmation surgery to change a birth certificate, many do not. But even in those states, you can often get a driver's license and other things. It is sadly very inconsistent from state to state right now.
    No no no. I didn't any point suggest that a trans person would be the predator in this hypothetical scenario. I said a male predator could try to take advantage to gain access to the ladies room. Above, the user named Choop says "sexual predators aren't going to even dress up, they are just going to go into the bathroom" and he's wrong. Sexual predators will do anything to get a leg up on their pray. They're fucking nuts.

    So again, I did not suggest that the trans person would be a predator. I was responding to a scenario where a man turned woman would have to go into the men's room and could be sexually assaulted. And I said, as a devil's advocate, is that there's a possibility of sexual assault with this new law or how it was before the law. I didn't suggest that the trans person would the predator.
    2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024Philly 2

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  • When I checked yesterday, for a single ticket, I was offered the last row of the third and final level up, in the back corner furthest away from the stage. So, there goes that theory.
    Maybe. Maybe not. I've tried to purchase Pearl Jam tickets *when they go live* through Ticketmaster and been presented with only bullshit 300-level options. That's what happened at Charlottesville in 2013. So, there goes that theory?
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  • THEBIBLEISTENTHEBIBLEISTEN Posts: 1,924
    Why couldn't PJ find another venue to play at a week ago when Bruce cancled? Go to the next town, find a venue and play for your FANS who pay hard earned money to see you. Was that even considered?
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