Billie Eilish, Peter Gabriel, Sheryl Crow and a host of other artists have joined forces for a new coalition against gun violence.
Artist for Action to Prevent Gun Violence is a new “non-political” organisation aimed at inspiring Americans to act together through volunteering and ultimately voting to eliminate the epidemic that has already killed over 37,000 people in the US this year alone. Early estimates suggest that it could be the deadliest year yet.
“As a community of artists, we need to band together to make common sense change,” Eilish said in a statement. Gabriel added: “This needs to stop. So many needless deaths. So much suffering. It just needs a little common sense.”
Other artists also involved include Sheryl Crow, Nile Rodgers, Rufus Wainwright, Bootsy Collins, Sofi Tukker and The Pixies.
The official launch will roll out with a series of live events, kicking off with Bush and special guests in New York on 22 September.
“As a father, I am staggered by the gun violence in America, and as a musician, I am fortunate enough to be able to take a stand against it,” Bush’s Gavin Rossdale said. “This is a human rights crisis out of control. There have been more than 400 mass shootings in the US in 2023 – from stores to football games to parades to schools. Every person, especially children, deserves the right to be and feel safe.”
It is led by Mark Barden, a musician and father of one of the 26 children murdered in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. “After my son Daniel was murdered at Sandy Hook elementary school, I put my career as a professional guitarist on hold to devote myself to preventing gun violence,” Barden said. “Please join me and hundreds of other artists, musicians, actors, athletes and people like you to finally end this senseless violence.”
December will also see the release of a film, executive produced by Crow, which tells Barden’s story.
Eilish has often shown support for improved gun control, releasing a statement on Instagram in 2019 asking her followers to support gun safety non-profit Everytown.
