maroon 5
[Photo via Spotify]

Petition asks Maroon 5 to drop from Super Bowl show, garners 40,000 signatures

Back in 2015, Maroon 5 were reportedly in “extensive talks” to play the 2016 Super Bowl Halftime show. While Coldplay ended up being the headliner (with support from Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson and more), this wouldn’t be the last time Maroon 5 and Super Bowl were mentioned in the same sentence.

In September of this year, several sources confirmed Maroon 5 will headline the Super Bowl LIII Halftime show in Atlanta, Georgia Feb. 3, 2019.

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Maroon 5 have yet to confirm their performance, but that didn’t stop immediate backlash including a petition that has since garnered 40,000 signatures. Even Rihanna spoke up, stating she turned down the same offer in support of Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick is the San Francisco 49ers’ former quarterback. The NFL exiled him following protests where he took a knee during the anthem. Kaepernick and Rihanna are mentioned in the description of the aforementioned petition.

A user launched the petition two weeks ago. Within one week, it reached 20,000 signatures. A week later, that total has doubled.

In the petition’s description, it states:

“Kaepernick risked his career to take a knee for equality, and the NFL punished him for it. Until the league changes their policy and support players’ constitutional right to protest, no artists should agree to work with the NFL. Join me in asking Maroon 5 to drop out of the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show.”

The petition also points out Jay-Z turned down the 2018 Super Bowl Halftime show, reportedly in support of Kaepernick. The rapper addressed it in “Apesh*t,” his track with Beyonce, which was released under the Carters. In it, he says, “I said no to the Super Bowl, you need me, I don’t need you/Every night we in the end zone, tell the NFL we in stadiums too.”

They petition also explains Amy Schumer praised Rihanna and encouraged Maroon 5 to drop from the show. They state other artists the band has worked with have publicly supported Kaepernick and they should too.

“Maroon 5 has made music over the years featuring artists from all genres, including Rihanna, Cardi B and Kendrick Lamar — all of whom have publicly supported Kaepernick in his decision to protest the violent racism sweeping the United States. Maroon 5 must do the same. The band has a chance to stand on the right side of history. If they don’t, they will be remembered for choosing to side with the NFL over its players.

“The band’s lead singer, Adam Levine, has not shied away from politics in the past. He has been a strong supporter of same sex marriage and LGBT rights. The band even changed the location of a show because the venue supported anti-gay marriage laws. If the band can take a stand for LGBT rights, they should do the same for these players.

“Colin Kaepernick has sacrificed his NFL career to call out violent racism in America, and players across the country have followed his lead. Rihanna, Jay-Z, Amy Schumer and others have refused to work with the NFL. Maroon 5: Americans look to artists and celebrities as leaders, and you have huge opportunity to use your influence to take a stand.”

What do you think of the petition urging Maroon 5 to drop from the Super Bowl Halftime show?

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