JO LOPEZ
STEVEN VAN ZANDT
Steven Van Zandt said he believes Bruce Springsteen’s decision to cancel the E Street Band show scheduled for Sunday in Greensboro, N.C., is a righteous stand against “evil and vile discrimination.”
Springsteen made his decision in order to protest North Carolina’s passage of the HB2 law, which prevents city governments from passing laws to protect gay and transgender people.
Last night, Van Zandt was at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, to induct Bert Berns in the lifetime achievement category, and was asked about Springsteen’s decision.
“You never want to disappoint fans,” he said, according to Cleveland.com. “But this evil and vile discrimination is starting to spread state to state. We better take a stand now, early and try to stop it or at least set some kind of example for others to do the same.”
He also said, according to Cleveland.com, “Unfortunately, it’s the only way people understand. You have to hurt them economically to force them to the right thing morally.”
Here are tweets by Van Zandt, as well as fellow E Street Band members Garry Tallent and Nils Lofgren, and saxophonist Eddie Manion, who played with them on their last tour (and many other times over the years):
Proud to be in the E Street Band. https://t.co/4OpgGageXz — Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) April 8, 2016
With apologies to family, friends and fans, the show in NC is cancelled. I know it is a drag for many, including us.We must do what is right — Garry Tallent (@gwtallent) April 8, 2016
It's about human rights. A big leap forward for the #lgbtq community. Good decision @springsteen — Nils Lofgren (@nilslofgren) April 8, 2016
I support Bruce's decision to cancel his show in North Carolina and take a stand for Civil Rights @springsteen good! pic.twitter.com/uBazENSVNs — Eddie Manion (@eddiemanion) April 9, 2016
1 comment
I fully support the decision to cancel the concert ! That law affects more then bathroom rights , it takes away many other rights . What ever happened to the “Separation of Church & State “? No one is trying to take away your religion , but when it interferes with job performance , you need to change jobs ! Practice your religion in Church & in your home , when you are in the public , not every one is a believer & shouldn’t be subjected to your predjudices !!!