Stateside Presents concert promoter Charlie Levy pens an op-ed in the Arizona Republic urging artists to perform in Arizona rather than boycott the state:
While I respect the intentions of the artists protesting what they find to be an unjust law, the practical effect of the boycott is resulting in exactly the opposite of their good-willed intentions.
By not performing in Arizona, artists are harming the very people and places that foster free speech and the open exchange of ideas that serve to counter the closed-mindedness recently displayed by the new law.
The people who will feel the negative effects of the boycott the deepest are local concert venues, including non-profit art-house theatres, independent promoters, fans and the people employed in the local music business. If the boycott continues, it is all but guaranteed that some of these venues will be forced to close their doors.
Think of it this way: What if otherwise outspoken and inspirational activists like Martin Luther King Jr. had turned their backs on the state of Alabama and its citizens because they didn’t agree with the discriminatory practices of its government during the critical years of the civil-rights movement? What would have happened if they had chosen to boycott Alabama rather than speak out, organize and effect change?
This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2010.
Argh! Another claim that boycotting is easy and to do the right thing you need to “come fight with us.” I call BS. When I see some real action from you guys: Jim, Curtis, David, and now Charlie, maybe I’ll change my opinion. But apparently you all think it’s enough to allow bands a place to present their political message. That’s not “come fight with us,” that’s “we need your money so we’ll let you say whatever you want when you come here.” For Pete’s sake, y’all. Stop trying to rationalize your begging by wrapping yourselves in the warm, fuzzy blanket of social activism.
Hey Rachel:
You can add Congressman Raul Grijalva to your list of sell-outs:
His quote:
“The extent of it is hard to gauge because there’s been some, there’s a musical group boycott going on at the same time but we’re also working with organizations here that, Artists for Justice is the name of it here, that are promoting festivals to not only oppose the law but to continue to have venues where musicians come into a — for lack of a better word — a sanctuary in which their opposition to the law is not compromised and that you’re still able to register people to vote at those concerts and musical events. They’re very clear about their opposition to the law.”
Read more: http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/ariz…
Indeed. I don’t know what he means that he is “working with” Artists for Justice. I’ll call the office tomorrow and ask. After googling Artists for Justice I see that most (all?) of the supporters are local. Awesome. Get out there and rock and mobilize and all that. But out-of-state bands: don’t come here. Really. Send money to good non-profit organizations in the state (including non-profit event venues!) but don’t come here.