Zedd celebrates diversity in America at Welcome! ACLU benefit concert

Zedd brought music together for a cause last night at Los Angeles’ Staples Center for his ACLU benefit simply titled “Welcome!” Using the night as a fundraising platform to support the American Civil Liberties Union, Zedd enlisted the help of music superstars, including Skrillex, Daya, Imagine Dragons, and Bebe Rexha. The diverse array of musicians reflected the aim of the night—to celebrate, and financially support, diversity in the United States. Throughout the event, ACLU executives highlighted the organization’s accomplishments so far this year, including an increase in donations protesting President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

Zedd, himself an immigrant from Europe named Anton Zaslavski, claimed the night was not about fostering further division based on politics, nor a protest itself against President Trump. “We welcome everyone, no matter who you are or where you’re from. Same goes for the music. I didn’t want this to be an EDM concert. I wanted any type of music lover to be welcome” he told Billboard. However, the performers roundly criticized the President, swearing and cursing during their speeches and performances. Zedd himself has frequently attacked President Trump on Twitter, one time tweeting a roll of toilet paper with Trump’s face embossed upon it. Indeed, the concert’s genesis began as a reaction to the travel ban.

Zedd embodied the political passion of young adults in the millennial generation by organizing the event in solidarity with immigrants coming from the countries on the travel ban list, who are predominately Muslim adherents.  Admirably not using his celebrity just to party his life away, Zedd commented on the use of his fame as a political force: “I think however you can reach people to open up their mind and start a conversation, you should use that power.”

Los Angeles was honored to host Zedd for the night, with the mayor gifting him with a commemorative “key to the city” proclamation. Zedd took to Twitter afterward to share his gratitude for all the fans and supporters:

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who came out tonight, who performed, who streamed the show, worked on this and the @ACLU!!!
I love you all. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/QI9TfrwctU

— Zedd (@Zedd) April 4, 2017