Presented without comment, Steve Earle’s statement on canceling (or “postponing”) his scheduled July 4th show at the Rialto:
It is with decidedly mixed feelings and a fair amount of regret that I have decided to postpone our concert that was to be have been at the Rialto in Tucson on July 4th. I am doing this out of respect to the boycott of Arizona that many artists are participating in to support those Arizonans who are opposed to the passage of SB 1070 and any other legislation that discriminates against Mexican-Americans.
I apologize for confusion caused by my original acceptance of the offer from the Rialto and this reversal of course. When SB 1070 first passed I enthusiastically joined with those who were boycotting the state. However after a Federal Court enjoined implementation of the bill I was under the mistaken impression that the boycott had been called off and I was surprised that the announcement of my appearance was treated as some sort of s statement about the boycott.
I look at this as a postponement because I have very warm feelings towards my fans in Tucson and towards the Rialto who are kindred spirits. I also want to do more research about the boycott and its effects because as someone who supports the immigrants rights movement I am not convinced that it is useful to continue to stay away from progressive fans in the state. I respect those among my fellow artists who have chosen to play Arizona at the same time speak out against SB 1070 as well as those who have supported the boycott. This is going to be a long tour and I expect to get to Tucson at some point in the not too distant future.
This article appears in Apr 14-20, 2011.
Why doesn’t he go on a hunger strike to oppose the budget cuts that effect the poorest of the poor? This is such bullcrap, I am no longer a fan, Mr. Earle!
I am not my State’s F’ed up politics! I am a music fan and you are a musician. Comment through your gift of music, not with a punishment to music- loving Tucsonans. Seems like you are just jumping on a bandwagon instead of playing with your band!
I understand the disappointment and respect the feelings of music fans in the state of Arizona. I hope Steve will play there again sooner than later. I the meantime I also hope that, rather than railing against an artist trying trying to do the right thing, fans will contact their local legislators and voice their ire to the forces responsible for these unfortunate developments.
With all due respect, Bobby Breiter, what the f@*k do you think we have been doing? If you had a clue about Arizona politics you would know that those of us who live in Tucson don’t sit idly by while our legislators pass legislation that does not represent our core values. We protest, we march, we write letters, we tweet, Facebook, campaign, give money to candidates and causes, call, cry, pull our hair out, look for jobs in other states and so on. Meanwhile, many of us actually put water out, especially this time of year, for border crossers so that they don’t die crossing our desert trying to find a better life than that in Mexico and other economically disparate latin countries. Many of our religious institutions actually run these type of programs.
I am so sick of being boycotted, I could barf burritos! I wish these musicians would grow some stones, play in Tucson, and donate or raise funds to fight our legislators! THAT would actually make a difference! And Bobby, this is not personal, unfortunately your comment represents what many people think.
To paraphrase Michael Franti.. you have to play where change needs to happen. I have followed Steve Earle for 12 years. He is merely following an agreement to boycott that it seems he agreed to as any union man would do. I believe the boycott is misguided and does not send a message to the state legislators. This is a polarized state. What happens in Phoenix often has nothing to do with Tucson or Flagstaff. Russell Pearce, Joe Arpaio and Jan Brewer would be all too happy if Steve Earle didn’t perform. By removing your music and art from Tucson, the right wing wins.