Bruce Springsteen cancels North Carolina show to protest HB2

DANNY CLINCH

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Assailing North Carolina’s recently passed HB2 law as a piece of legislation that “attacks the rights of LGBT citizens,” Bruce Springsteen has cancelled his April 10 show at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. Tickets will be refunded at points of purchase.

“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,” Springsteen wrote, in a statement on his web site, brucespringsteen.net.

He also described his move as a way for him and his E Street Band “to show solidarity for those freedom fighters” who are protesting the law.

Here is the complete text of the statement:

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.

Other entertainment figures who have spoken out against the law include composer Stephen Schwartz, who will not allow his play “Wicked” to be produced in North Carolina; and director Rob Reiner, who has said he will not film in the state.

Springsteen’s tour resumes April 12 at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, and also includes shows at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, April 23 and 25.