Asthmatic Kitty, Secretly Group, Other Indiana Labels Condemn Religious Freedom Restoration Act

Yesterday, it was reported that Wilco had canceled a show in Indianapolis due to the state’s “odious” new law, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The law has been widely criticized for allowing businesses to refuse services to minorities on the grounds of religious belief. Today, a group of Indiana record labels and music businesses have teamed to sign a letter condemning Indiana Governor Mike Pence for signing the law.

The letter was signed by Asthmatic Kitty, the Secretly Group (Secretly Canadian, Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans, SC Distribution, SC Publishing), Jurassic Pop, Magnetic South, Joyful Noise, Russian Recording, and others. Their message is under the banner “Music for Indiana“. It reads:

We are deeply disappointed with the recent passage of the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the message that it sends to those both in and out of our state. At the very least, this is a poorly written and unnecessary piece of legislation. At the worst, it provides a path to legal discrimination.

We join the chorus of Indiana residents and businesses calling on Governor Mike Pence and the Indiana General Assembly to repeal the IRFRA. Additionally, we appeal to our state government leaders to enact legislation clearly protecting the civil liberties of LGBT individuals to assure that none of our employees or neighbors may be discriminated against due to sexual orientation or gender identity.

They address individuals who have decided to opt out of contributing to Indiana’s economy (i.e. Wilco), and they caution that “an isolationist approach can sometimes be misguided.” Instead, the coalition encourage musicians to use their art to “put a glaring spotlight on injustice.”

We will continue to proudly call Indiana home, and we call on others in the arts community to address this issue constructively. To musicians with events scheduled in Indiana—please follow through and perform. While canceling shows is one way to protest, a greater statement can be made by coming here and using your art to influence the policy debate that is occurring locally. You can insist that the venue you play publicly states that they will not discriminate under any circumstances. If the venue won’t do that, rebook your show with another venue that will. Your performance can be a rally. We need your support locally.

They’re encouraging other music businesses in Indiana to sign the letter. Read the entire thing here. 

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