The following is a call to action from the #WeMakeEvents North America movement:

In this dire time, we, the entertainment community of North America, are asking for your support. Live events have been completely halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because our business is rooted in large group gatherings, we were one of the first industries to be completely shut down (early March) and will be one of the last to return to any operations (well into 2021), let alone restore former prosperity (likely not until 2022 or beyond). The live event industry in North America directly employs more than 12 million people and includes hundreds of thousands of businesses with a combined economic impact of over $1 trillion USD.

This likely includes someone you know, are close to, or it may even include you. If WE do not receive government assistance, the live events industry will literally collapse, including all of the people involved. We are asking for your support to help raise awareness in hopes that the government will provide the appropriate support by way of relief funding and necessary legislation.

The RESTART Act is a bill that is currently moving through congress, but has stalled. We’re organizing a widespread PR event by lighting up as many buildings in RED as possible and posting pictures and videos to social media and news outlets in hopes that this will help push the bill through. We have also partnered with ExtendPUA.org and are requesting a continuation and expansion of the PUA, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and FPUC, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which supplement earnings per week for those on unemployment and open up unemployment to 1099 workers. A similar event was held in the UK on Tuesday 8/11/2020 which was hugely successful and included 715 buildings/structures glowing in red. Below is a link to an aerial video showing downtown London that night as well as a really well done example:

Aerial Drone Footage - Link
# WeMakeEvents Red Alert Building Footage - Link

We are charging all willing participants to light their building(s) exteriors in RED on Tuesday
September 1, 2020 from 9p-12a in your local time zone and to post pictures or video using the hashtags #WeMakeEvents, #RedAlertRESTART, and #ExtendPUA.

You can help in three ways:

1. If you have a commercial or residential building that can be lit in RED (whether or not you
   have the equipment to do so).
2. If you have equipment and or services that you’re willing to offer for those that need it to
   facilitate.
3. Spread the word by forwarding this letter on to anyone that you know who can help.
   Thank you in advance for your support and efforts. You may never truly understand the impact it brings.

Please contact WeMakeEventsNorthAmerica@gmail.com if you are able to help with any of the above or for more information.

Sincerely,
The entertainment community of North America

--Official press release is as follows:

For Immediate Release

NEW DATE: #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART #ExtendPUA

To Light 1,500 Buildings In Red On Tuesday, September 1, 2020

#WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART and #ExtendPUA represent a major call to action on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, imploring the US Congress to pass the RESTART Act (S.3814) as quickly as possible, offering economic relief to the Live Events Industry, which has been shuttered since March, 2020, putting millions of people out of work. Additionally, the movement is to support ExtendPUA.org in their efforts towards continuation and extension of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to provide relief to those without work due to COVID-19.

The initial date of August 27 coincides with the closing of a national political convention and the organizers of #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART want to make sure their message is heard loud and clear and gets the media attention it deserves. “We had no intentions to piggy back on the convention, and we began receiving feedback from several US cities with concern about having our event on the same day. Therefore, a decision was made to move the date in order to expand our exposure,” says #WeMakeEvents North American director, Brad Nelms. “In the meantime, the group has managed to gather incredible support for this important movement, signing on more than 30 regional directors to lead the initiative in markets nationally. This team have been so fired up and already have commitments from hundreds of incredible venues and iconic locations nationally who will show support.”

The new date is September 1, 2020, when buildings, structures, and residences will be lit in red from 9pm-12am (local time in each market) as the event rolls across North America.

The goal to raise public awareness that the Live Events Industry is on Red Alert for its very survival, and create congressional pressure to act now.

#BeAnArtsHero, a grassroots coalition of arts and cultural workers, reports:

“The Arts & Culture sector employs 5.1 million people and provides $877 billion value added to the U.S. economy. It adds more value to the economy than transportation, agriculture, or tourism. The Arts & Culture sector is a cornerstone of the larger U.S. economy, making up 4.5% of GDP. Despite their out-sized cultural and economic contribution, the Arts & Culture sector of the U.S. economy is in grave danger.

Due to Covid-19, 62% of Arts Workers report that they are fully unemployed. 94% of Arts workers report income loss; to date, the average Arts worker reports $23,500 in lost revenue this year. Due to Covid-19, 66% of Arts workers report they are unable to access the spaces, staff, resources, or supplies needed to perform their work."

The targeted list of cities for the #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART #ExtendPUA event on September 1, 2020 across North America includes Washington D.C., Huntsville, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, Baltimore, Las Vegas, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Boulder, Fayetteville, Lexington, Louisville, and Canadian neighbors including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

The North American event comes on the heels of the August 11 event #WeMakeEvents Red Alert Day Of Action when over 700 buildings were lit in red across the UK, calling attention to the same plight facing the Live Events Industry there.

As theatres, concert tours, festivals, opera houses, trade shows, and other live events as well as film and television production remain closed, or open on a very limited basis, the entire industry is impacted, from designers, technicians, programmers, and stagehands to rental shops, manufacturers, and distributors of entertainment technology.

For information about joining the event and lighting your building red, please contact: WeMakeEventsNorthAmerica@gmail.com

The live events industry was the first industry to shutter back in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic and it will be the last industry to return when this outbreak is contained. It cannot survive without crucial assistance. Please join us in supporting this important cause.

Official Facebook Event - Link

Seattle Facebook Event - Link