Following Bruce Springsteen's decision to cancel a gig in North Carolina to protest against a transgender law, Stevie Van Zandt has come out to defend the rock legend's move.
Spingsteen's cancellation for the Sunday show in Greensboro, North Carolina, was motivated by his disagreement with the state's Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, which states that everyone should use facilities matching their birth gender.
In a statement, 'The 'Dancing In The Dark' singer slammed the piece of legislation for discriminating against transgender and other members of the LGBT community.
Stevie Van Zandt of the E Street Band, otherwise known as 'Little Stevie', has since spoken out to explain why the group felt obligated to act as they did.
"We just felt the issue was just too important. This really vile and evil discrimination is starting to spread state to state and we thought, 'We better take a stand right now and catch it early.'"
"It's unfortunately the only way people understand. You have to hurt them economically in order to have them do the right thing morally, unfortunately."
Following Springsteen's decision to cancel the concert, North Carolina representative Mark Walker criticized the rocker's "bully tactic," while also electing to focus on the other upcoming acts due to perform there.
"It's disappointing he's not following through on his commitments. We've got other artists coming soon — Def Leppard, Justin Bieber. I've never been a Bieber fan, but I might have to go. Maybe artists who weren't 'born to run' deserve a little bit more support."
