The Reason Rally just got a major boost of star power.

Actor Johnny Depp, known for his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, will be on stage at the Lincoln Memorial on June 4.

According to a press release sent out by organizers — perhaps earlier than anticipated since Depp’s name isn’t on the website yet — he will join the likes of Margaret Cho, Bill Nye, Richard Dawkins, and Killah Priest in Washington, D.C. this summer.

“No longer hiding their lack of religion, ‘nones,’ atheists, and secular voters are demanding that their voices be heard and their votes sought,” says Lyz Liddell, executive director of Reason Rally 2016. “And those votes will go to candidates who base their policies on science and facts.”

Depp has alluded to his atheism before, though never explicitly. In a 2011 interview with Larry King, the host asked Depp whether or not he had faith. The response was a dismissal of religion:

I have faith in my kids. Yeah, I have faith in my kids. And I have, I have faith, you know, as long as you keep moving forward, just keep walking forward things will be alright, I suppose, you know. Faith in terms of religion, I don’t, religion is not my specialty.

Even for a Hollywood actor, Depp is taking a big leap by appearing on stage alongside several outspoken atheists. If the media was ignoring the rally, though, you can bet they’ll be paying attention now.

You can learn more about the big event here.

(Image via Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com)



