AEG parent company found to have donated to "anti-abortion" political group

The Anschutz Corporation, the parent company of Coachella and All Points East owners AEG Live, has donated $75,000 to the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) which supports Republican causes, such as anti-abortion.

A donation by The Anschutz Corporation was made five days after the Roe v. Wade reversal was made on June 24, Rolling Stone found after obtaining a file that was submitted to the IRS in July.

Shortly after the legislation was overturned, outlawing abortion in several US states, RAGA put out a call saying “[E]very donation will help Republican Attorneys General combat the Democrats’ pro-abortion agenda and stand tall for life.”

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The Anschutz Corporation denies that the company or owner was aware of this transaction, and has said to Rolling Stone that the company has been donating to RAGA since 2014 and “[a]s a personal matter, Philip F. Anschutz believes in a woman’s right to choose and did not support the reversal of Roe.”

However, RAGA has made it clear that they are after donations that “combat the Democrats’ pro-abortion agenda and stand tall for life.”

RAGA’s aim is to elect Attorney Generals who are in favour of imposing anti-abortion laws in contentious or on-the-fence states. RAGA has contributed to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization - the case that took down Roe v. Wade.

The association even organises treats and rewards for their corporate donors, such as a private retreat where donors can RSVP.

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The Anschutz Corporation is the parent company of AEG Live and its subsidiary Goldenvoice (which presents Coachella and Stagecoach). Alongside these companies, the private holding company also oversees a variety of other companies and media outlets such as AEG Sports (owners of various sports teams), and conservative magazine Washington Examiner.

Despite continuously denying that they do not ideologically agree with conservative or right-wing ideals, this is not the first time that The Anschutz Corporation has donated to such groups or causes.

In March, the corporation donated $750,000 Senate Leadership Fund and the House Leadership Fund, both of which are political action committees dedicated to gaining full Republican control of both the House and the Senate.

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In a statement to Rolling Stone, AEG Live said: “AEG, AEG Presents, Goldenvoice and its other subsidiaries, as one company, stands firmly in support of a woman’s right to choose. As owner and producer of many of the most inclusive festivals and venues on the planet, we have taken strides to make our position on this clear.

“On June 28, in the wake of the troubling overturning of Roe v. Wade and with the full support of The Anschutz Corporation, we informed all our employees that we will be covering travel and lodging expenses for women who need to leave their home state for reproductive health services including abortion.

“We remain, as ever, committed to choice, freedom, and access to full reproductive health options for women.”

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[Via: Rolling Stone]

Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter