From 1 September 2024, ‘Resorts World Arena’ in Birmingham was renamed as ‘BP Pulse Live’ following the oil and gas company BP taking over sponsorship of the venue, as part of an attempt to expand its presence in the live music industry.
BP is a major polluter that has made massive profits of more than $40 billion in the last two years from recklessly drilling for more oil and gas. Whilst BP continues to cynically greenwash its image, its investments in oil and gas were seven-times higher than those in "low carbon energy" last year.
In recent years, BP has been forced to terminate sponsorship deals at major museums and galleries due to the tireless campaigns of climate activists, artists and the general public alike. The Peace & Justice Project calls for a wide-reaching and expansive campaign to rid our cultural institutions of the grotesque influence of climate criminals and the profiteers of war.
Following the announcement of BP Pulse acquiring naming rights to Birmingham's live music arena, Jeremy Corbyn said:
"We must bring an end to culture-washing from the big polluters, those financing the global arms trade and those contributing to the climate crisis. From music and sports to museum exhibitions and cultural events, we simply should not allow space for the most damaging and unethical corporations to launder their reputations using the arts."
Music For The Many campaign convener Samuel Sweek said:
"Once again the British music industry is being used to culture-wash the unapologetic destructive reputations of corporations responsible for the climate crisis. We call on all artists to join us in demanding a permanent end to the use of our arts to wash the blood and oil from their hands."
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