BTS Donated $1 Million To Black Lives Matter — Then Fans Topped It

Last week, South Korean superstars BTS declared their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, releasing a statement specifying that they "stand against racial discrimination" and "condemn violence." Right now, the seven Bangtan men — Jin, Jimin, RM, Jungkook, J-Hope, Suga, and V — are putting their cash where their tweets are.


Last week, BTS and their label, Big Hit Entertainment, quietly donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter, Variety reported on Saturday (June 6). The move came as demonstrations around the globe continue, protesting systemic racism and police brutality against the Black community In the
U.S., Particularly, in the wake of the murders of unarmed Black citizens George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and several others. While the sort did not publicly comment on the donation, the contribution was confirmed by both Big Hit and Black Lives Matter.


“Black people all over the world are in pain at this moment from the trauma of centuries of oppression," Black Lives Matter Managing Director Kailee Scales told Variety. "We are moved by the generosity of BTS and allies all over the world who stand in solidarity in the fight for Black lives.”


That same day, BTS fans — or ARMY, as they are known in the fandom — pledged to match the donation. The volunteer-based, fan-operated collective One in a ARMY, which organizes monthly charity programs, set the hope on Saturday, which was proliferated across social media through the the hashtag #MatchAMillion, coined by Twitter user @Monosplaylist. The order set up a carrd through tech nonprofit ActBlue that included A list of 16 vetted agencies that help Black people and supporter against police brutality. Fans could pick split their contribution across those companies, which included Color of Change and Black Visions Collective.


By Sunday evening, OIAA had exceeded their objective, thanks to contributions from over 35,000 donors. They shared the news by means of the Twitter: "Just like BTS, we were able to donate 1M dollars to help fund: bailouts for those arrested for protesting police brutality, black-led advocacy orgs fighting against systemic injustice, support for the physical and mental health of the black community."


"We added an objective tracker to our donation page and our website purely to keep ARMY updated on the total amount raised. We’ve run big assignments before, nevertheless the quantity of support for this project is overwhelming,” a OIAA spokesperson mentioned in a press release, per Teen Vogue. "We truly didn’t know whether the objective could be reached. We’re so overjoyed that ARMY have once again channeled their power for good and are building a real impact in the fight against anti-black racism."


Yet combatting racism is ongoing work, so the Black Lives Matter will remain on OIAA's website permanently. As of this publishing, the fundraiser had reached $1,216,909 from 39,036 donors. That donation page also includes the complete list of corporations with statistics about each, while encouraging fans to "continue educating themselves on the history of anti-black racism In America and also anti-black racism that occurs in your own country."


"Black Lives Matter isn’t something that has a time quota. It’s a belief each person needs to carry in their everyday lives," the OIAA spokesperson added. "We stand in solidarity with black ARMY. They’re an essential segment of our family member. And we stand with black people everywhere. Your voices deserve to be heard.”