Guy Oseary raises more than $150,000 for victims of NZ mosque shooting
Guy Oseary, the U.S.-based uber-manager who guides the careers of U2 and Madonna runs the Queen of Pop’s Maverick label, has raised more than US$150,000 for the families of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
In the aftermath of the massacre at two New Zealand mosques that left 50 worshippers dead, Oseary launched a GoFundMe campaign to “support those affected by this tragedy at this very difficult time,” and kicked things off with a US$18,000 personal donation.
Soon after, Madonna pitched in with US$10,000 and a wave of celebs and industry figures came up with the goods, from Amy Schumer ($500) to Ben Stiller ($1,000), Judd Apatow ($1,000), Chris Rock, Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino ($5,000), Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Australian-born bass player Flea ($2,100), and many more.
Live Nation’s Michael Rapino
The campaign raced past its goal of $100,000 within days and over the weekend hit the US$150,000 milestone from more than 660 supporters, many of them anonymous well-wishers.
“I read the frightening details and could barely find the strength to watch a short clip of the disturbing footage. My heart breaks for the victims and for their families,” Oseary explained in a message on the fundraising page.
“We will work with GoFundMe to ensure all funds are transferred to an organisation providing support to the families and community. We will provide additional information about the distribution of funds as soon as it becomes available and are actively researching the best organisations in New Zealand to receive what is raised.”
Oseary, who counts Kylie Minogue among his good pals, shared a separate post in which he wrote:
“It was important for me — an Israeli Jew — to show love and care for the Muslim community on another painful, sad day that left 50 innocent people dead in #NewZealand. He also alluded to last year’s massacre during a Shabbat worship at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, which remains the deadliest ever attack on the United States’ Jewish community.
“This @gofundmecampaign is a small gesture of support and love, and an acknowledgement that we are all connected.”
Donations can be made here.
The music community immediately immediately rallied behind the people of New Zealand and the Muslim community after the March 15 mass shooting, the country’s worst peacetime mass killing.
In the wake of those attacks, Neil Finn took to Twitter to denounce “hateful ideology” and confirm he would no longer take part in social media.
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.