|
The K-pop group's music label, Big Hit
Entertainment, on Sunday told Reuters that BTS had donated $1
million to BLM in early June.
The seven-member BTS wrote on its Twitter account on Thursday
that they are against racism and violence with the hashtag
BlackLivesMatter.
"We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence.
You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand
together."
The hashtag went viral among the group's fans and started
another wave of donations with the hashtag MatchAMillion.
The movement encouraged BTS' fan base, known as ARMY, an acronym
for Adorable Representative MC for Youth, to match the group's
$1 million donation.
On Monday, One In An ARMY (OIAA), a group that runs donation
campaigns in the name of the BTS fan base, in a statement said
the live donation total surpassed $817,000 within 24 hours after
BTS' donation was reported.
"We're so proud that ARMY have once again channelled their power
for good and are making a real impact in the fight against
anti-black racism," OIAA said.
"We stand in solidarity with black ARMY. They're an important
part of our family. And we stand with black people everywhere.
Your voices deserve to be heard."
The campaign had raised $1,007,518 as of Monday at 9:47 a.m.
(0047 GMT), and will continue indefinitely, the organisers said.
The protests reflect anger over police treatment of ethnic
minorities, sparked by the May 25 killing of George Floyd in
Minneapolis by a white officer.
BTS suspended its world tour in April due to coronavirus
concerns.
(Reporting by Sangmi Cha; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Christopher
Cushing)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
