Bandcamp donate profits to ACLU
New music website Bandcamp have announced that today (Fri 3 Feb) all of their profits will be donated to the American Civil Liberties Union, starting from 12.01am Pacific Time (8.01am GMT).
The ACLU have been at the forefront of the efforts to combat various of Trump’s recent diktats, and received an unprecedented level of donations six times those usually received annually in the face of last weekend’s controversial immigration order.
Bandcamp founder Ethan Diamond released a statement celebrating his own immigrant roots and elaborating on America’s 98% immigrant identity. “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.”
He continues: “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. And so all day today (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.” You can read the statement in full here.
More than 400 labels and artists have joined Bandcamp in donating their day’s profits to the ACLU – find out who they are here. We asked The Skinny team for their recommendations to buy on Bandcamp today – here are a few favourites.
Our First 100 Days Bandcamp
For each of the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency, Secretly will post a new song by artists such as Angel Olsen, Jens Lekman and Avey Tare. All proceeds will go directly to organisations working on the front lines of climate, women’s rights, immigration and fairness.
My Idols Are Dead And My Enemies Are In Power
This mega-political mixtape from Lushlife featuring Killer Mike, Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz, Khruangbin and a series of activists and academics will see all proceeds going to the ACLU. Says Lushlife on the project, "November's dystopian presidential election sent all of us looking for answers. My Idols Are Dead + My Enemies Are In Power brings together artists, activists, and academics to explore how we got here, and what to do next. We stand with poor folks, Muslims, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and all Americans against any attack on our civil rights."
Skint and Demoralised by Matt Abbott
Because, well, the name seems quite fitting for everything, everywhere right now.
My Tits Are More Feminist Than Your Tits
Not quite as on the nose in terms of their current affairs protest, Selena Godden's My Tits Are More Feminist Than Your Tits t-shirt quotes from one of the poet's most well-known works commenting on the petty one-upmanship that so often seeps in to contemporary liberal discourse. Also it's hilarious and only a tenner, so you should buy it.