Red Alert Tuesday

Red Alert Tuesday

August 29, 2020

On Tuesday September 1st, just as the lights go down in cities across the United States, red lights will emerge in the darkness illuminating spaces that…  if you haven’t noticed already, have been dark for quite a while now.

Picture by Jodie Walton

The live entertainment industry has been one of the hardest hit industries in the nation during this pandemic, with over 12 million people out of work from the industry and venues that sit empty in danger of permanent closure. We’re approaching on a scary time for a lot of these businesses that have been hanging on the sheer hope that this will be all over soon. As the months go by and we’re still very much dealing with COVID19 on a daily basis, there is no way for these businesses to open up safely. Unlike restaurants who are able to adapt a bit to a new world of take-out / outdoor dining, venues have absolutely no way of getting income unless it’s through donations.

Without rent freezes on venue / event spaces or additional funding from the government most independent venues are in danger of not making it through to the other side. Red Alert Tuesday is a way to spread awareness of those who have lost their jobs in the entertainment industry and illumination of the spaces that are in danger of not returning after the pandemic. Over half of entertainment industry businesses are expected to lose 70-100% of their income for the year of 2020.

How You Can Help?

• On Tuesday September 1st, after dark: If you have an event space, shine a red light outside of your space or if you have a marquee use the hashtags below. Or post a photo on social media of the empty stage with red lights. 

• On Tuesday September 1st, after dark: All industry people and entertainment lovers are encouraged to light red lights outside of your houses or in your windows. Post on socials!  

• Talk to your friends about what is going on for events entertainment industry professionals. Get more people involved!

#WeMakeEvents, #RedAlertRESTART, and #ExtendPUA are partnering on a major call to action to support the Live Events Industry. The goal of the Red Alert campaign is to raise public awareness and to implore the US Congress to pass the RESTART Act (S.3814), offering economic relief to the Live Events Industry. Additionally, the movement is support ExtednPUA.org in their efforts to the continuation and extension of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which provides relief to the people without work due to COVID-19.

https://sites.google.com/view/wemakeeventsbayarea

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Written by Bailey Greenwood

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