Pearl Jam have announced they will be donating $100,000 to the victims of the mining disaster that struck the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil last month. The toxic mudslide, triggered by the bursting of two dams co-owned by BHP Billiton and Vale, became one of the biggest environmental catastrophes in Brazil’s history. To date 13 people have died, 6 remain missing, and hundreds more have lost their homes.
On stage in Belo Horizonte, the capital of the state hit by the disaster, Eddie Vedder interrupted the show and broke into Portuguese, declaring his solidarity with the victims and calling for the mining company to be severely punished for its negligence.
And on Tuesday 1st December, #GivingTuesday incidentally, the band posted this tweet to say they would be donating $100,000 to support the victims
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.@PearlJam will donate $100k to help the communities impacted by the #tragedia in #Brazil. #GivingTuesdaypic.twitter.com/zs2ds21W4o
— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) December 1, 2015Too often, large corporations get away with negligence and unsustainable practices that put human lives and the environment at risk. It’s great to see a band with a such huge following using its platform to stand up for the victims of injustice. You can make your voice heard too by going to TAKE ACTION NOW and calling for a shift to 100% clean and renewable energy.