Bandcamp to Donate All Proceeds Earned This Friday to the Voting Rights Project
There are any number of reasons why Bandcamp rules, not least of which is their dedication to progressive politics. Having already donated one day’s proceeds to the ACLU and transgender resources, the digital platform is now turning their attention to voting rights: 100% of the proceeds earned by the site this Friday, September 28 will go to the Voting Rights Project, “a program led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to advance and protect the right to vote and ensure that right is afforded equally to all.” With mid-term elections just around the corner and He Who Shall Not Be Named still wreaking havoc in office, the importance of this cause is greater now than it has ever been (seriously, if you’re of legal age and you’re not registered to vote, get on that shit). And you can get some sweet music out of the deal.
Planning to purchase digital copies of this Friday’s new releases by Revocation, Anaal Nathrakh, or Horrendous? Get it from Bandcamp, help support voters’ rights. Catching up on recent releases from Pig Destroyer, Skeletonwitch, or SUMAC? Get it from Bandcamp, help support voters’ rights. Finally time to add some classics from the back catalogs of Metal Blade, Prosthetic, and Relapse? Get it from Bandcamp, help support voters’ rights.
See? This is an all-around win.
Below is the official statement, with additional details, from Bandcamp… and we’ll be sure to remind you again that this is happening on Friday.
“In just seven weeks, the United States will hold its midterm elections—a vitally important moment that will determine whether the country stays on its current path, or renews its commitment to democracy.
“As a community built around the idea of empowering and amplifying individual voices, Bandcamp is doing two things to bolster the democratic process in this historically consequential election.
“Voter Registration
“First, we’re encouraging U.S. visitors to Bandcamp to register to vote, and helping them do that on our site. The unfortunate fact is that most people don’t vote in midterm elections: only 17% of young people voted in the 2014 midterms, and 40% of eligible voters overall. Turnout for the 2016 presidential election was not much better, with the predictable result being a government that reflects the values and priorities of the very few. We can change this, but only if more of us vote. You can register or find your polling place here.
“A Fundraiser to Protect Voting Rights
“More immediately, we want to help protect the right to vote itself, which is increasingly under attack by elected officials who seek to stay in power by undemocratically and illegally disenfranchising minorities, young people, and the poor. According to a recent study, 20 states have passed new, restrictive voting laws since 2010, which include arbitrary cutoff dates for early voters, unnecessary burdens on the voter registration process, and a tightening of voter ID requirements. Now more than ever, we need to make sure that every person who wants to exercise their right to vote can do so easily, without hassle, anxiety, or obstruction.
“And so this Friday (from midnight to midnight Pacific Time), for any purchase you make on Bandcamp, we will donate 100% of our share of the proceeds towards the Voting Rights Project, a program led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to advance and protect the right to vote and ensure that right is afforded equally to all.
“To participate as a fan, simply purchase music through Bandcamp on Friday and we’ll donate our share of the sale to the Voting Rights Project. To participate as an artist or label, send some or all of your share of Friday’s sales directly to the Voting Rights Project here, and let us know your plan in the comments below so that we can help spread the word.
“And of course, if you are a U.S. citizen, register to vote today and get out to the polls on November 6th—it’s not hyperbole to say that our future depends on it.”
