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Music Industry calls a nationwide blackout in solidarity with George Floyd protests

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ABC/Randy HolmesThe billion-dollar music industry is shutting down Tuesday in response to the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and “countless other Black citizens at the hands of police.”

Two Atlantic Records executives issued a statement on Instagram to launch #TheShowMustBePaused initiative, after noting “the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard.”

The statement declares Tuesday, June 2nd as, “a day to take a beat for an honest, reflective, and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the Black community.”

“Our mission is to hold the industry at large, including major corporations + their partners who benefit from the efforts, struggles, and successes of Black people accountable,” the statement continues. “To protect and empower the Black communities that have been made them disproportionally wealthy in ways that are measurable and transparent.”

Def Jam, Interscope, Columbia Records, Island Records, Sony/ATV, Capitol, Republic, Warner Music Group, BMG, UMG, and independent distributor EMPIRE are among the record labels sharing similar messages on their social media.

“This is not just a 24-hour initiative. We are and will be in this fight for the long haul,” the statement concludes, promising a plan of action at a later date.

Last week, a viral video of Floyd’s tragic death surfaced online showing former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes as Floyd repeatedly declared that he couldn’t breathe.  Four officers involved in his death were fired, although only Chauvin has been arrested, charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

By Rachel George
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