Bruce Springsteen slammed for ‘bully tactics’ after cancelling concert over discriminatory new law

ROCK legend Bruce Springsteen has been described as an ‘upset child’ after cancelling a concert in North Carolina in protest over a discriminatory new law.

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen has taken a stand against a discriminatory new law. Picture: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images.

ROCK legend Bruce Springsteen has been labelled a “bully” after cancelling a concert in North Carolina in protest over a new law which discriminates against transgender people.

Republican North Carolina congressman Mark Walker accused Mr Springsteen of using a “bully tactic”.

“It’s disappointing he’s not following through on his commitments. We’ve got other artists coming soon — Def Leppard, Justin Bieber,” Mr Walker told the Hollywood Reporter.

“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.

“Bruce is known to be on the radical left, and he’s got every right to be so, but I consider this a bully tactic. It’s like when a kid gets upset and says he’s going to take his ball and go home.”

Last week, Springsteen announced he would cancel the planned performance as “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,” he said.

Springsteen has become an outspoken activist over the past decade. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

“It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards.”

Springsteen is protesting North Carolina’s House Bill 2 (HB2 or Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act), which enforces people to use bathrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate. It also restricts North Carolina’s cities from passing non-discrimination laws.

“To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognising the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress,” Springsteen said about law.

A number of Hollywood companies, like Disney, Netflix and the Weinstein Company, have threatened to move their productions from North Carolina if the bill was passed.

But Mr Walker claims the bill does not target the LGBTQ community.

“I choose to stand with our sheriffs, who support this bill, which doesn’t target the LGBTQ community; it targets impostors,” he said.

“It’s a little crazy to think sexual predators wouldn’t be devious enough to pull something off if they were free to go into any bathroom they want.”

He accused Springsteen of a history of poor judgment, like singing Fortunate Son — a song about dodging a war draft — at an event honouring veterans.

Originally published as Bruce Springsteen slammed for ‘bully tactics’ after cancelling concert over discriminatory new law