COMMUNITY SERVICE. On Jan. 28 at the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) and Billboard GRAMMY Week Songwriter Awards, Justin Vernon (pictured) of Bon Iver shared a statement in support of community organizers and observers in Minneapolis, Minn. following the surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) present in the state. (Image via Billboard)

In the days leading up to today's national and local general strike efforts to demonstrate against federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minn., Justin Vernon made a call-to-action on behalf of his friends and neighbors in the Twin Cities.

During a National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) and Billboard GRAMMY Week Songwriter Awards event on Jan. 28, in which he accepted the Artist-Songwriter of the Year award, Vernon shared the following message – coupled with an adornment of a whistle on his lapel:

“I just wanna make a note that this whistle represents another kind of observer, one with hard hands,” Vernon said at the award ceremony. “One that’s in the streets of Minneapolis and many, many cities in this country right now. An observer – with a capital O – with hard hands, is somebody that stands on the corner of their community and blows the whistle and makes a noise.”

“That’s their purpose – and they are using their voice. So, I am incredibly humbled to be an Observer and to stand in the service of humanity,” he continued.

Jagjaguwar, the independent record label of Bon Iver, also shared a message online following Vernon's statement in support of Minneapolis communities and other organizing groups across the country.

The emphasis of whistles are being utilized by activists, observers and other concerned residents in Minneapolis, Minn. to draw attention to locations where ICE activities are occurring, the Minnesota Star Tribune writes.

The Eau Claire-born artist joins a growing number of popular artists and figures speaking out against ICE, including Bad Bunny, Doechii, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Lady Gaga and others.

Cover art for Bon Iver's “Naeem (Can't You Hear Crying)” – live from La Prima Estate Festival, Lido di Camaiore, Italy. June 17 2023.

This afternoon, Jan. 30, Bon Iver shared an unreleased live recording of “Naeem (Can't You Hear Crying)” – from their 2019 album, i,i – exclusively to Bandcamp.

In Vernon's continued effort to support those organizing against ICE in the state of Minnesota, 100% of the track's proceeds will be donated to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization which provides legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota.

“We hope this music, in any way, helps,” a recent post from the band states.

Vernon could take the awards stage again this Sunday, Feb. 1, when the 68th GRAMMY Music Awards are held in Los Angeles. Bon Iver's SABLE, fABLE will compete in the best alternative music album category; the single “Everything Is Peaceful Love” has also been nominated for best alternative music performance.

View Justin Vernon's acceptance statement online through Billboard.