Ethan Diamond, Bandcamp Founder & CEO has announced that on Friday 3rd February the website will donate 100% of their purchase shares to the American Civil Liberties Union in support of immigrants, refugees and basic human values.
In a statement posted on the Bandcamp website, Diamond says: “Like 98% of U.S. citizens (including the President), I am the descendant of immigrants. Almost everyone you speak to in this country has a similar story to tell, because we are, in fact, a nation of immigrants, bound together by a shared belief in justice, equality, and the freedom to pursue a better life. In this context, last week’s Executive Order barring immigrants and refugees from seven Middle Eastern countries from entering the United States is not simply immoral, it violates the very spirit and foundation of America.”
“And so all day this Friday, February 3rd (starting at 12:01am Pacific Time), for any purchase you make on Bandcamp, we will be donating 100% of our share of the proceeds to the American Civil Liberties Union, who are working tirelessly to combat these discriminatory and unconstitutional actions.”
As another way of showing solidarity to those affected by the US governement’s plans, Bandcamp have also compiled a list of albums by artists from the affected countries. The list compiles bands of all genres including Punk, Black Metal, Darkwave and Classical amongst others.
“We believe that knowledge and empathy are crucial weapons against fear and intolerance. We hope that, as you listen to these albums, you’ll not only discover some great new artists, but will also gain a further appreciation and understanding for the way music transcends all borders, and remember that, even in the darkest of times, there is more that unites us than divides us.”
You can see the list of albums and read the full statement here.