BTS and Big Hit Entertainment have come forward to support the Black Lives Matter movement with a donation of $1 million, as per Variety. The donation was made earlier this week, joining a number of other celebrity donations to the cause.
BTS earlier tweeted out in support of Black Lives Matter. They wrote, “We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together. #BlackLivesMatter”
Other than BTS, Mark Tuan of GOT7 has pledged $7,000 to the George Floyd Memorial fund while Korean-American rapper pH-1 donated $3,000 to Black Lives Matter. In addition, Jae of K-pop/rock outfit DAY6 donated $1,000 to the Minnesota Freedom Fund. Moreover, Jay Park and his Seoul-based hip-hop label H1GHR Music shared that their artists have collectively donated $21,000 to Black Lives Matter. Park also donated $1,000 stating that “countless innocent unarmed people losing their lives and nobody taking responsibility or being held accountable.”
However, BTS and Big Hit Entertainment are the first to make a public group and label donation to the movement.
Kailee Scales, managing director for Black Lives Matter, told Variety that they were moved by BTS’ contribution. “Black people all over the world are in pain at this moment from the trauma of centuries of oppression. We are moved by the generosity of BTS and allies all over the world who stand in solidarity in the fight for Black lives.”
On Sunday, BTS will appear as part of YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020” commencement event alongside Beyoncé, President Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama. The event was rescheduled in observance of the memorial service celebrating the life of George Floyd being held in Raeford, N.C. on June 6.