(Image Source: 360 of Opera)

On June 2, 2020, the music industry will be participating in silent protest in support of the black community in the fight against all racism.

Late last week a post called for the “gatekeepers of culture” to take action to “provoke accountability and change” circulated with the hashtags #The ShowMustBePaused or #BlackoutTuesday. The day is intended to “disconnect from work and reconnect with our community.”

The initiative was started by Jamila Thomas, Senior Director of Marketing at Atlantic, and Brianna Agyemang, a former Atlantic Executive who is now Senior Artist Campaign Manager at Platoon.

“We will not continue to conduct business as usual without regard for Black lives,” the two posted on TheShowMustBePaused.com.

Among the music organizations involved are Interscope Geffen A&M, Capitol, WMG, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Spotify, Management company Artists First, agencies UTA, ICM Partners, Pantheon, APA and CAA, ViacomCBS, Funny or Die; the Sundance Institute; AGC Studios; and law firm Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, among others.

Several music artists such as Radiohead, Billie Eilish, Quincy Jones, Massive Attack, and Third Man Records have also expressed support.