Pearl Jam cancels N.C. show over 'despicable' anti-trans law: 'We must take a stand against prejudice'

Pearl Jam became the latest high-profile act to protest North Carolina's new anti-trans legislation when the veteran rock band announced on Monday it canceled an upcoming performance in the state.

"We want America to be a place where no one can be turned away from a business because of who they love or fired from their job because of who they are," the group said in a statement posted on its Twitter and Facebook pages. "It is for this reason that we must take a stand against prejudice, along with other artists and businesses, and join those in North Carolina who are working to oppose HB2 and repair what is currently unacceptable."

The band was slated to perform in Raleigh on April 20. Instead, it will donate to local groups opposing the law, which it described as "a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens."

Earlier this month, Bruce Springsteen,Ringo Starr and Cirque du Soleil announced that they were cancelling performances in the state because of the law, which bars trans residents from using public restrooms according to their gender identity.