Hundreds of music artists have pledged to boycott Amazon over the company’s ties to U.S. law enforcement agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In an open letter posted online this week, No Music For ICE! refers to Amazon Web Services’ upcoming Intersect festival in Las Vegas, which bills itself as an event “where music, technology, and art converge.”
“We the undersigned artists are outraged that Amazon continues to provide the technical backbone for ICE’s human rights abuses,” read the missive. “We pledge to not participate in Amazon-sponsored events, or engage in exclusive partnerships with Amazon in the future.”
It has a list of demands, including that Amazon end its contracts with law enforcement agencies.
"We will not allow Amazon to exploit our creativity to promote its brand while it enables attacks on immigrants, communities of color, workers, and local economies. We call on all artists who believe in basic rights and human dignity to join us."
The growing list of acts who have signed on include indie band Speedy Ortiz, punk rockers Downtown Boys and alt band We Are Parasols. Also signing the pledge is The Black Madonna, who earlier this week said she dropped out of Intersect because she was "never formally or informally advised of any Amazon branding." In a statement shared on Twitter, she wrote: "The issue is not just ideological for me, it is a moral and ethical transgression against my work, my faith and most importantly the people I stand with."
Intersect, running Dec. 6 and 7, is scheduled to include performances by Foo Fighters, Brandi Carlile, Beck, H.E.R., Kacey Musgraves and Canada’s Kaytranada.