#TheShowMustBePaused: Music industry to observe Blackout Tuesday to condemn George Floyd's death
Music industry leaders vow to pause business for a day in observation of Blackout Tuesday amid George Floyd's death protest in the US
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New York: As the nation continues to protest the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, the music industry has come together to call for a blackout.
On June 2, Alternative Press will join the artists, labels, publicists and publications who will take part in the #TheShowMustBePaused initiative for a day of silence to stand in solidarity against racial injustice.
The initiative was launched by Atlantic Records executive Jamila Thomas and Platoon’s Brianna Agyemany in response to the murders of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other black citizens who have died at the hands of the police.
A Twitter account tied to the group appears to have been created on Sunday, amid a weekend that saw communities across the country protesting the murders of George Floyd and others at the hands of police.
In a letter explaining the effort posted to their official site, Thomas and Agyemang said it is "in observance of the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard".
Labels including Def Jam Recordings, Interscope, Sony Music, Columbia Records and more are also expected to participate.
"We will not continue to conduct business as usual without regard for Black lives," Thomas and Agyemang wrote. "Tuesday, June 2 is meant to intentionally disrupt the work week."
At MTV, Chris McCarthy, president of the ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group, told employees in an internal email obtained by CNN that the company will, "focus our attention away from work and towards our community".
"We will not hold any meetings nor conduct any business -- rather we will stand in solidarity with our African American colleagues and loved ones across the country," he wrote.
On Monday, ViacomCBS networks including MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network and Pop, will go dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in honour of Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement "and other victims of racism", McCarthy wrote.
In a tweet posted on Tuesday, the official account of Apple Music said that it would be observing a "Black Out" Tuesday and that it would "pause the show" and reflect upon how to support the black artists and the community.
"On Tuesday, June 2nd, Apple Music will observe Black Out Tuesday. We will use this day to reflect and plan actions to support Black artists, Black creators, and Black communities. #TheShowMustBePaused #BlackLivesMatter."
Organisers also encourage donations for victims' families, community bail funds and getting involved with grassroots campaigns.
They also provided a list of anti-racism resources.
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