The Minister of the Interior of France, Laurent Nunez, is “very determined” to ban the concert that American rapper Kanye West had scheduled in Marseille on June 11.
The minister’s entourage told AFP that all options are being considered to ban the rapper’s concert in France, confirming an information originally published in Liberation, according to Agerpres.
The authorities in the Netherlands have announced that they do not foresee a ban for his shows from the beginning of June.
According to Laurent Nunez’s entourage, the minister discussed with the local authorities the possibility of banning the concert, an idea also supported by the mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, who opposed the rapper’s arrival since March.
“I refuse for Marseille to be a showcase for those who promote hatred and Nazism without any shame. Kanye West is not welcome in the Velodrome (the stadium where the concert should take place – ed.), our temple of coexistence and of all Marseille residents”he stated.
On April 7, the American artist was banned from entering the UK, in the context of which he was supposed to perform at the Wireless festival in London.
Later, the organizers announced that the festival will no longer take place in July, following the government’s announcement.
“The Home Office withdrew Ye’s ETA authorisation, refusing him entry to the UK. As a result, the Wireless festival is canceled and all ticket holders will receive refunds.
As with every edition of the Wireless festival, several stakeholders were consulted before scheduling Ye, and at that time no problems were reported. Anti-Semitism in any form is reprehensible and we recognize the real and personal impact these issues have had.
As Ye said today, he recognizes that mere words are not enough, and despite this, he hopes to be given the opportunity to start a dialogue with the UK Jewish community.”
