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Over 400 Labels and Artists Join Bandcamp’s Muslim Ban Protest

Daniel Sanchez
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Over 400 Labels and Artists Join Bandcamp's Anti-Trump Protest

Bandcamp’s not alone in their protest against President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

On January 27, President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily barring people from seven Muslim-majority nations.  He also halted all refugee admissions for 120 days and “indefinitely” banned entry for Syrian refugees. Trump said the necessary measures will help to prevent “radical Islamic terrorists” from entering the country.

The music community has forcefully pushed back against the order.  Now, that pushback is intensifying.

Several days ago, Bandcamp CEO Ethan Diamond sent out an e-mail to every Bandcamp user.  Diamond stated that this Friday, 100% of Bandcamp’s share of the proceeds of any purchase will go directly to the ACLU. Going further, he added,

“This is not who we are, and it is not what we believe in.  We at Bandcamp oppose the ban wholeheartedly, and extend our support to those whose lives have been upended.”

Indie labels as well as artists have also joined the protest. Yesterday, under the hashtag “#NoBanNoWall,” the organization announced that over 400 labels and artists will donate their Bandcamp profits.

Several top names include Kill Rock Stars, Tompkins Square, Alanna McArdle, and Merge Records. Some artists and labels will only donate a percentage to the ACLU. A number of labels and artists have chosen to donate to other organizations including the Nigerian Muslim Association of New York. Son Lux will donate proceeds from “At War with Walls and Mazes” to the ACLU for the next four years. Xiu Xiu will follow suit with all Bandcamp revenues going to the ACLU during the same timeframe.

Bandcamp’s original e-mail message reads,

“Like 98% of U.S. citizens (including the President), I am the descendant of immigrants – my great-grandparents came to America from Russia and Lithuania as teenagers and worked in sweatshops until they were able to afford to bring the rest of their families over.  Most 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.”

4 Responses

  1. Voltaire

    Example:

    Muslim country with exact same travel ban. Liberals you are very sick and desperate.

    http://www.albawaba.com/

    Here is an example of a Muslim country enacting the exact same travel ban. Yes, a Muslim country. If you are still calling this a Muslim ban instead of a temporary ban from countries known to contain strong terrorist elements, then you can only be a moron.

    Mob rule is no measure of truth.

  2. Voltaire

    Muslim country with exact same travel ban. Liberals you are very sick and desperate.

    http://www.albawaba.com/

    Here is an example of a Muslim country enacting the exact same travel ban. Yes, a Muslim country. If you are still calling this a Muslim ban instead of a temporary ban from countries known to contain strong terrorist elements, then you can only be a moron.

    Mob rule is no measure of truth.

  3. Tony D

    There is no “Muslim Ban”

    Read the text of the EO: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/27/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terrorist-entry-united-states

    I bet you haven’t even read it.

    Do you have a problem with this section?:

    “the United States should not admit those who engage in acts of bigotry or hatred (including “honor” killings, other forms of violence against women, or the persecution of those who practice religions different from their own) or those who would oppress Americans of any race, gender, or sexual orientation.”

  4. Remi Swierczek

    I am a Muslim from India and I agree with all muslim bans by Trump. I vehemently oppose this protest and all protests banning Muslims like myself. We should all be deported to Keep America Great Again. Praise Spotify!