The band Dead & Company is planning to perform in North Carolina and will donate $100,000 to fight the state’s controversial law governing bathroom use.
“This March, when North Carolina lawmakers passed HB2 and Governor Pat McCrory signed it into law, we categorically objected to it,” the band, which includes some former members of the Grateful Dead, said in a Facebook post.
{mosads}”We had hoped that by now this abhorrent law would have been repealed. Sadly, it has not,”
The band said it decided the most “effective way” to move forward is to play the scheduled concert in the state and donate money to organizations “engaged in the battle for justice — the Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina.” The band is scheduled to perform on June 10 in Charlotte, N.C.
The band also said it plans to create a “Participation Row” social action area, where there will be local organizations fighting against discrimination. The area will also include national organizations focused on voter registration and “protecting the planet.”
“Every fan in attendance will have an opportunity to learn about the true ramifications of the HB2 law, and take meaningful action by registering to vote,” the post said.
“Dead shows have always been a safe place for all of our audience to come together through music no matter how they appear or self-identify. History shows these values of openness and inclusiveness have served us — and the world around us — well.”
The band said it has never been a group that spoke much when on stage.
“But we hope that our actions, and the actions of our fans, will ring louder than ever before,” it said.
Several other performers have chosen to cancel their shows in North Carolina over the state’s bathroom law, which requires that transgender people use the bathroom corresponding to their biological sex. The law also restricts cities from passing nondiscrimination laws more broadly.
Pearl Jam and former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr canceled shows in the state. Cirque du Soleil also scrapped its North Carolina shows over the law.