Pearl Jam Cancel North Carolina Concert

By Hayden Wright

(RADIO.COM) – Pearl Jam is the latest artist to cancel a North Carolina concert over objections to that stat's controversial new law.

The band joins a list of high profile stars who are boycotting the state after the passage of a "Religious Liberty" law, which many see as a thinly veiled justification for business owners to discriminate against the LGBT community.

The band also shared a link to a petition to repeal the law.

Read the full statement from the band's official website below.

It is with deep consideration and much regret that we must cancel the Raleigh show in North Carolina on April 20th.

This will be upsetting to those who have tickets and you can be assured that we are equally frustrated by the situation.

The HB2 law that was recently passed is a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens. The practical implications are expansive and its negative impact upon basic human rights is profound. 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.

It is for this reason that we must take a 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.

We have communicated with local groups and will be providing them with funds to help facilitate progress on this issue.

In the meantime we will be watching with hope and waiting in line for a time when we can return.

Perhaps even celebrate.

With immense gratitude for your understanding,

Pearl Jam

© 2016 CBS Local Digital Media Group. All rights reserved.

In:
• North Carolina
• Music
• LGBTQ+