Steve Earle has bowed to intense pressure from organizers of a boycott of Arizona related to an immigration law that will never take effect, postponing his upcoming Arizona show indefinitely.
In a statement, Earle says he was "under the mistaken impression that the boycott had been called off" after a federal court blocked the bill from taking effect.
No, sorry.
"I also want to do more research about the boycott and its effects
because as someone who supports the immigrants rights movement I am not
convinced that it is useful to continue to stay away from progressive
fans in the state," he said.
Full statement below.
Read New Times columnist Stephen Lemon's take on the Sound Strike (he's for it) here.
Statement From Steve Earle:
It is with decidedly mixed feelings and a fair amount of regret that I have decided to postpone our concert that was to be have been at the Rialto in Tucson on July 4th. I am doing this out of respect to the boycott of Arizona that many artists are participating in to support those Arizonans who are opposed to the passage of SB 1070 and any other legislation that discriminates against Mexican-Americans.
I apologize for confusion caused by my original acceptance of the offer from the Rialto and this reversal of course. When SB 1070 first passed I enthusiastically joined with those who were boycotting the state. However after a Federal Court enjoined implementation of the bill I was under the mistaken impression that the boycott had been called off and I was surprised that the announcement of my appearance was treated as some sort of s statement about the boycott.
I look at this as a postponement because I have very warm feelings towards my fans in Tucson and towards the Rialto who are kindred spirits. I also want to do more research about the boycott and its effects because as someone who supports the immigrants rights movement I am not convinced that it is useful to continue to stay away from progressive fans in the state. I respect those among my fellow artists who have chosen to play Arizona at the same time speak out against SB 1070 as well as those who have supported the boycott. This is going to be a long tour and I expect to get to Tucson at some point in the not too distant future.
