Paul McCartney Revealed Beatles Refused to Perform Segregated Shows
Paul McCartney shared via social media how the Beatles refused to perform segregated shows and the clever way they showed allyship by integrating audiences during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s.
McCartney wrote the following in a post to his social media channels:
“As we continue to see the protests and demonstrations across the world, I know many of us want to know just what we can be doing to help. None of us have all the answers and there is no quick fix but we need change. We all need to work together to overcome racism in any form. We need to learn more, listen more, talk more, educate ourselves and, above all, take action.
In 1964, The Beatles were due to play Jacksonville in the U.S. and we found out that it was going to be a segregated audience. It felt wrong. We said, ‘We’re not doing that!’ And the concert we did do was their first non-segregated audience. We then made sure this was in our contract. To us, it seemed like common sense.
I feel sick and angry that here we are almost 60 years later and the world is in shock at the horrific scenes of the senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of police racism, along with the countless others that came before.
All of us here support and stand alongside all those who are protesting and raising their voices at this time. I want justice for George Floyd’s family, I want justice for all those who have died and suffered. Saying nothing is not an option.”
GALLERY: Classic Beatles-Era Photos of Paul McCartney
