Recently, North Carolina has received harsh criticism for their recent "Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act," which was signed last month. The law requires individuals to use restrooms that correspond to their birth sex. Bruce Springsteen caught wind of this, and has cancelled his upcoming show in Greensboro, North Carolina in protest of the law."To my mind, it's an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress," he wrote on his website in a statement. "Taking all of this into account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th"Many have applauded Springsteen for his statements, including Ellen Degeneres and Nils Lofgren (via CNN):
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I Bruce @Springsteen.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 8, 2016
You can read the full statement below, via his website."As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the 'bathroom' law. HB2 — known officially as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act — dictates which bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use. Just as important, the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace.No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden. To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress. Right now, there are many groups, businesses, and individuals in North Carolina working to oppose and overcome these negative developments.Taking all of this into account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."It's about human rights. A big leap forward for the #lgbtq community. Good decision @springsteen
— Nils Lofgren (@nilslofgren) April 8, 2016