Over 1,200 artists and cultural producers have signed their name on a letter in support of Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, Artists4Bernie.
Some of the figures include Sonic Youth‘s Kim Gordon, M.I.A., Mykki Blanco, and Kelsey Lu.
More than 1,200 artists and cultural producers have signed a letter in support of Bernie Sanders, including the likes of Kim Gordon and M.I.A.
The letter was created by DIS, Mohammed Salemy, and Jennifer Teets. In a press statement, they described that many of the signatory artists have also been involved in helping the Sanders campaign in the form of canvassing, door-knocking, phone-banking, fundraising, and organising.
The letter heralds policies like Medicare for All, universal childcare, cancelling student debt, and free public college, as some of those which would most benefit artists and cultural workers. It explains that Sanders is “the only candidate we believe can unseat Donald Trump”.
Sanders himself is a vocal supporter of the arts. Previously he has described: “You have my promise that as President, I will be an arts President. I will continue to advocate strongly for robust funding of the arts in our cities, schools, and public spaces. Art is speech. Art is what life is about.”
The signatories on the list span the fields of music, film, acting, design, art, writing, teaching, and more. Figures outside of the music industry who have signed include the likes of Nan Goldin, Hari Nef, Telfar Clemens, Chloë Sevigny, and Juliana Huxtable.
Whilst not all the signatories are from the US, the letter acknowledges the interest of non-US citizens in what is an important democratic decision not only impacting America but the entire world.
The letter is open to any artist or cultural producer to sign their name. To read the letter, head here.
