Photo of Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performing in New Zealand in 2014, by Jason Oxenham
Pearl Jam has canceled its upcoming show in Raleigh to protest North Carolina's recent anti-LGBT law HB2, the so-called "bathroom bill."
“The HB2 law that was recently passed is a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens,” the band said in a statement released Monday. “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.”
The band went on to say: “It is for this reason that we must 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."
Pearl Jam's cancellation of their April 20 concert follows decisions from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr, both of whom have also scrapped shows for similar reasons.
North Carolina's controversial HB2 targets transgender people's access to public bathrooms and removes protections, such as Charlotte's recent nondiscrimination ordinance, essentially legalizing discrimination against the LGBT community.