31 August 2022
JUST ANNOUNCED! Bonnie and the band will return to Bluesfest Byron Bay in 2023! The festival will be held over the Easter Long Weekend, 2pm Thu 6 April – Midnight, Mon 10 April at the Byron Events Farm, NSW. All 5-day season passes (including VIP + add-ons) are on sale now! In the coming weeks, Bluesfest will release more of the line-up, along with the artist play dates so that both day-trippers and 3-day ticket holders can make an informed choice. Visit the Bluesfest website for more details: https://www.bluesfest.com.au/
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30 August 2022
Bonnie and the team at BRHQ want to alert our fellow Californians to a very important vote in the State Legislature coming up tomorrow, August 31st. If you are so moved, we urge you to contact your representatives by tomorrow afternoon to express your strong disagreement with this last-minute, dangerous reversal of plans to shut down our state’s only still-operating nuclear power plant.
Governor Gavin Newsom at the 11th hour has proposed a plan to extend the operation of Diablo Canyon, California’s last remaining nuclear power plant that was scheduled to fully retire in 2025. The CA legislature will vote on this bill on Wednesday, August 31st during their afternoon session. The timing is critical that we get as many people in California to call and tell their legislators to Vote NO on SB 846.
Find your legislators here: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
Please CALL both of your state representatives today and tomorrow and urge them to Vote NO on SB 846.
Sample script: “My name is ___________. I am calling to ask the Senator (or Assemblymember) to oppose SB 846, the bill that would keep Diablo Canyon operating past its scheduled closure date in 2025. Vote NO on SB 846.”
To read a “Floor Alert” issued by Union of Concerned Scientists, NRDC, Environmental Working Group, Mothers for Peace and other organizations on Diablo Canyon and analysis on where SB 846 stands right now, please visit:
https://bit.ly/3KAtsZy
Below is a statement by Juliet Christian-Smith, Union of Concerned Scientists:
“This last-minute legislation would give new life to an aging nuclear power plant that is badly in need of seismic upgrades and other repairs to ensure safe operation. By waiving important environmental reviews and not designating funds to address seismic safety, the bill ignores the plant’s environmental impacts and vulnerability to earthquakes. Safety cannot take a back seat in our quest to keep the lights on and reduce global warming emissions.
“The risks of extending the operation of Diablo Canyon are significant, and an earthquake-induced accident could, by our estimate, cause more than 10,000 cancer deaths and over $100 billion in damages.
“The bill calls for a $1.4 billion loan to Pacific Gas & Electric on top of authorizing increased energy prices. These costs will be expensive for California taxpayers and ratepayers, particularly if Diablo Canyon is found ineligible for federal subsidies aimed at helping utilities keep nuclear power plants open.
“Introducing a final version of this bill 76 hours before the end of the legislative session without the benefit of adequate public review or a robust analysis of alternatives is misguided. The Union of Concerned Scientists remains committed to replacing the power generated by Diablo with renewable energy, energy storage, and other cost-effective alternatives that are a safer choice for all Californians.”
For background on Diablo Canyon and how this newly proposed legislation came forth, please read:
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/business/article265060299.html
Photo credit: Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, San Luis Obispo County. (Joe Johnston / The Tribune of San Luis Obispo / Associated Press)
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10 August 2022
Bonnie is bringing the Just Like That…Tour to Australia in April 2023! Special Guest Mavis Staples will join her at the Melbourne (5th April) and Sydney (7th April) concerts!
The Fan Community pre-sale will start Monday Aug 15, 2022 12pm (AEST) at bonnieraitt.com and tickets will go on sale to the public Thursday, August 18, 2022, 12PM AEST.
Find all tour dates and details at tour.bonnieraitt.com!
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29 July 2022
Bonnie writes about her experiences with tour activism and fundraising for a special feature in Billboard.
“One of the most important pieces of advice I was given is to try and not get discouraged. Never give up—even when it feels like the tide is turned against everything you hold dear. That’s when your passion and commitment matter even more. As my friend and inspiration Mavis Staples sings, ‘Don’t let nobody turn you around…we’re gonna keep on marchin…’ We’re all in this together—and together’s how we’ll make it through.” – Bonnie Raitt
To get more involved, check out Reverb (an organization coordinating on tour activism) and HeadCount (a group facilitating on tour voter registration.) – BRHQ
READ THE FEATURE
Illustration by Joan Wong
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28 June 2022
Like many of you, I am reeling in the wake of the devastating ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and how the lives and reproductive health of women have already been impacted across the country. The stress of additional Supreme Court decisions looming this week and Justice Thomas’ intimation that other constitutionally-protected rights (to contraception and same-sex marriage) are also on the table is all weighing very heavily. The Dobbs ruling only exacerbates the inequity in health care for women of color and those communities already struggling. I think this editorial piece is particularly strong advocacy:
LA Times Editorial: Congress must protect rights to contraception and same-sex relationships
To learn more about the disproportionate suffering that the dismantling of reproductive rights will have on women of color, I recommend reading the pieces linked below.
There is much to feel and process right now, while we gather ourselves and move forward together to support women and families who are faced with immediate hardship. Let’s stay vigilant and tuned in to what activists and attorneys on the front lines are doing to protect access to safe abortions (particularly in those states that are contemplating outright bans on the procedure,) as well as to protect contraception and family planning advice. Let’s keep up our support in all the ways we can. We’re all in this together! — Bonnie
Women of color will be most impacted by the end of Roe, experts say
Op-Ed: No, Justice Alito, Reproductive Justice Is in the Constitution
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22 June 2022
By Thom Duffy
“I love coming back to the Beacon,” declared Raitt, opening a two-night stand at the Manhattan theater, touring behind her new chart topping album `Just Like That…’
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27 April 2022
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26 April 2022
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26 April 2022
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22 April 2022
While we are celebrating the release of my new album today, we want to also acknowledge and promote all the wonderful events held around the world on this 52nd Earth Day and be reminded of the great actions we can all take to help protect and honor Mother Earth in these times of increasing climate crises.
While the reports have spread widely by renowned climate scientists and leaders around the world about how the tipping point of no return is looming much sooner than even predicted, let us rally our commitment to do whatever we can personally, locally and globally to change and promote policies that will allow us to conserve, re-allocate and transform how we use our limited resources to fuel our human needs.
Making a significant switch to safe energy, conserving and recycling, and adopting more sustainable methods of managing our forests, oceans, rivers, industries and farms for both crops and raising animals— These are what I believe we can to do to help turn back the tide. Let’s not give up —we have no choice but to keep our shoulders to the wheel.
Let’s honor the Earth every day!
Bonnie 🌏
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