Overview
- Bruce Springsteen was presented with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award on Saturday, June 13, and he dedicated the honor to residents who stood against federal deployments in Minneapolis, Portland and Los Angeles.
- Bono presented the award, led a sit-down conversation with Springsteen and joined Patti Smith and Tony Shanahan onstage for a performance of “People Have the Power.”
- Springsteen delivered an unannounced solo rendition of “Land of Hope and Dreams,” said he is “pissed off and angry” about the moment, and described himself as “at best, a concerned citizen” who will not run for political office.
- Tribeca co-founder Robert De Niro opened the event with a sharp attack on President Donald J. Trump and his supporters, and Springsteen used the platform to refocus attention on artists’ role in civic life rather than electoral politics.
- The appearance follows Springsteen’s recently concluded Land of Hope & Dreams tour and protest-tinged releases this year, showing continuity in his use of concerts and recordings to amplify civic causes and voter-access efforts.