Statement from Tino Gagliardi, President, Local 802 AFM regarding President Trump’s executive order titled: “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States”
New York, NY – “Musicians come to New York, and live in New York, because it offers the opportunity to perform with the most talented artists and be part of the most creative artistic community in the world. With our cultural diversity as our greatest strength and our community’s inclusiveness as our most vital value, the thousands of musicians of Local 802 devote our energy to strengthening the role the arts and culture play in every component of our daily lives.

History has shown again and again that musicians and artists are among humanity’s most effective diplomats. This travel ban runs counter to the values that musicians, performers and artists of New York City hold most dear. It compromises the ability of artists and musicians to share their work and talent across national borders. Our country must not build walls and barriers that causes needless suffering to families and hinders art’s ability to bridge cultural, economic, linguistic or social divides. If New York is to remain a cultural capital of the world, we must stand firm against these types of rash, discriminatory, and xenophobic measures. We stand in solidarity with our members in New York and with musicians around the world in opposition to this damaging policy and call on the administration to rescind the travel ban immediately.”

About The Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 AFM

The Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 American Federation of Musicians represents over 7,500 highly-skilled musicians who are the backbone of the New York City’s thriving cultural and tourism economy, which brings over 58 million visitors each year. Their members—who perform on Broadway, at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Radio City; on Late Night shows and in other televised bands, as well as in hotels, clubs, festivals and venues across NYC—are protected by collectively bargained agreements ensuring proper classification, fair treatment and living wage.

The musicians of the Associated Musicians of Greater New York Local 802 work to promote artistic excellence and strengthen New York City’s vibrant arts community by advocating for fair treatment and compensation of hardworking musicians and performers. Their priorities include the preservation and creation of opportunities for live musical performance, promoting recording and film scoring in NYC, increasing our children’s access to live music and high-quality music education, advancing the vital role music plays in our communities, and ensuring that the musicians essential to New York City’s economy and cultural life are able to continue to live and work here.

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