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June 24, was the day that the Supreme Court resigned Roe v. WadeThe Republican Attorneys General Association reached its supporters with an urgent appeal for money. “[E]very donation will help Republican Attorneys General combat the Democrats’ pro-abortion agenda and stand tall for life.”
Several days later, on June 29, according to a filing submitted to the IRS in July, the Anschutz Corporation — a massive holding company that famously owns the live music giant AEG Presents, the parent company of several major festivals, including Coachella — made a donation of $75,000 to RAGA. As RAGA gears up to election season, the money from Anschutz Corporation is in support of the installation of Attorneys General in key states that still have abortion rights.
Anschutz Corporation claims that it and its owner did not receive, see, or were aware of the RAGA solicitation. It also stated in a statement. Rolling Stone They have donated to RAGA every year since 2014, and they continue to do so. “[a]s a personal matter, Philip F. Anschutz believes in a woman’s right to choose and did not support the reversal of Roe.”
RAGA’s opposition to abortion rights is well-established. Lynn Fitch, Mississippi Attorney General, is a member of RAGA. Responsible for the legal strategyTo abolish the constitutional right to abortion Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,The Supreme Court case that was overturned Roe. 24 of the 26 remaining members of RAGA submitted an application in July 2021. Amicus briefFitch. “The Court’s abortion precedent is erroneous, inconsistent, uneven, and unreliable,”The Republican Attorneys General wrote. “Roe and Casey should be overruled.” (The only current members of RAGA that didn’t sign the Short were New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, who assumed office in April 2021, andVirginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, who was elected after the briefWas signed.)
AEG Presents and its subsidiary, Goldenvoice (which presents Coachella and Stagecoach), are just a couple of stars in the massive galaxy that is Anschutz Corporation’s holdings. It is still notable that Anschutz revenues will not be used by RAGA for these efforts. This is because part of that revenue comes from ticket sales to festivals and concerts headlined by major artists who have been strongly critical of conservative attacks against reproductive rights.
A draft opinion is then submitted. Dobbs leaked back in May, at least 15 artists who performed at Coachella this year — including Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, and Phoebe Bridgers — signed aAd in full-page The New York Times condemning the Court’s actions. “Our power to plan our own futures and control our own bodies depends on our ability to access sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion,”The advertisement stated that the artists were involved in it. “We will not back down — and we will not go back.”
Harry Styles, another Coachella 2022 headliner wrote on after the ruling was made. TwitterHe was “devastated”The decision. Eilish was at Glastonbury in the U.K. when the announcement was made.The crowd was informed, “Today is a really, really dark day for women in the US.”Megan Thee Stallion used her Glastonbury platform also to declare, “And I want to have it on the motherfucking record that the hot boys and the hot girls do not support this bullshit that y’all campaign for. My body is my motherfucking choice.”
Other Coachella 2022 performers spoke out against it Dobbs These include those who support or have ruled in favor of pro-choice initiatives, as well as those who have done so in the past. Maggie Rogers, FinneasArcade Fire, andKim Petras. Maren Morris and Steve Aoki are the other outspoken performers at Coachella. Brandi CarlileAlso played Stagecoach, the AEG/Goldenvoice country music festival. Politically-minded acts such as Green Day and Halsey are also present. Dua Lipa,Charli XCX, Yungblud?, and Willow are playing AEG’s Firefly Festival in Dover, Delaware in September.
Styles, Eilish and Finneas representatives did not immediately return calls for comment. Representatives of Petras Rogers and Bridgers said they were not available for comment immediately.
In a statement Rolling StoneAEG replied as follows: “AEG, AEG Presents, Goldenvoice and its other subsidiaries, as one company, stands firmly in support of a woman’s right to choose. As owner and producer of many of the most inclusive festivals and venues on the planet, we have taken strides to make our position on this clear. On June 28, in the wake of the troubling overturning of Roe v. Wade and with the full support of The Anschutz Corporation, we informed all our employees that we will be covering travel and lodging expenses for women who need to leave their home state for reproductive health services including abortion. We remain, as ever, committed to choice, freedom, and access to full reproductive health options for women.”
In March 2022, records show that the Anschutz Corporation also contributed a combined $750,000 to the Senate Leadership Fund and the House Leadership Fund — super PACs seeking to put Republicans back in control of the House and Senate. Senator Mitch McConnell said that if his party wins control of Congress, he would be able to make a contribution to the Senate Leadership Fund and the House Leadership Fund. Consider a national ban on abortion.
It shouldn’t be surprising that the Anschutz Corporation donated $75,000 for RAGA and more to Republican committees. The company — which is owned by 82-year-old billionaire Philip Anschutz — has garnered plenty of attention and notoriety in the past for donations to right-wing groups, though his representatives have noted that he has also given to many other groups and tell Rolling StoneHe doesn’t “review or support each of the positions”These groups were taken.
The Anschutz Corporation’s statement, in full, reads: “As a personal matter, Philip F. Anschutz believes in a woman’s right to choose and did not support the reversal of Roe. Neither The Anschutz Corporation (TAC), or Mr. Anschutz, received, saw or was aware of a Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) fundraising solicitation based on the reversal of Roe v. Wade. TAC has contributed to RAGA since at least 2014. No contribution to RAGA by TAC or Mr. Anschutz has been based upon, informed by, or motivated by any RAGA position on Roe or abortion. Mr. Anschutz makes contributions to numerous organizations, usually for specific reasons. He does not review or support each of the positions taken by such organizations.”
AEG owner Philip Anschutz in 2017.
Shaun Clark/Getty Images
Anschutz was criticized in 2017 for allegedly donating to anti-LGBTQ organizations, including the Alliance Defending Freedom and the National Christian Foundation. Anschutz called the allegations anti-LGBTQ false and denied them. “fake news,”Additions and deletions “I unequivocally support the rights of all people without regard to sexual orientation.”
Anschutz stated at the time that he would cease funding groups involved in anti-LGBTQ activity. Contributions to the aforementioned organizations did not stop. PitchforkIt was revealed that Anschutz continued to give money to organizations smaller than his in 2018, despite their history of anti-LGBTQ statements. The most prominent Christian youth ministry Young Life, which was founded in 1972.Last yearIt was accepting LGBTQ youth but not allowing them as volunteers or staff. (Following Pitchfork’s report, a lawyer for Anschutz said, “We are proud of the progress we have made in this regard, but there is always room for improvement.”)
As many companies after the Dobbs AEG promised to cover lodging and travel expenses for employees whose access is threatened to reproductive health care. “We understand that the issue of reproductive rights is deeply important to our employees, and we are committed to supporting you and your family with healthcare that continues to provide medical and prescription coverage for reproductive health services including abortions,”The company sent an email that was viewed by Rolling Stone.
Wisconsin’s upcoming election is an example of how important Attorneys General races are in a post-9/11 world.Roe world. The state’s current AG, Democrat Josh Kaul, has He stated that he would “not investigate or prosecute” anyone in violation of the state’s 1849 law banning abortion, which remained on the books, but was not enforced, after Roe1973. Kaul also recentlyThe ban was blocked by a lawsuitAfter it was activated by Dobbs.
The three Republicans aim to unseat Kaul this NovemberThey all stated that they would enforce the state’s abortion ban if elected. No matter who wins the Republican primary to be the AG, the Republican Attorneys General Association is ready to assist, having alreadyReserve $682 250 in TV Ad TimeFor spots that oppose Kaul, run in October or November.