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Massive Attack cancels Georgia show over human rights concerns
June14
In a powerful stand against the Georgian government`s recent actions, British band Massive Attack h
In a powerful stand against the Georgian government`s recent actions, British band Massive Attack has canceled their upcoming show in Georgia.
The band was scheduled to perform on 28 July at the Black Sea Arena, located north of Batoumi, the country`s second-largest city.
The decision was announced on 12 June by Robert Del Naja, who posted a message on the band`s social media accounts. The cancellation comes in response to what Massive Attack describes as the government`s “attack on basic human rights.”
This move aligns with widespread protests in Georgia against a newly approved parliamentary law regulating the media and NGOs. Many critics argue that the law is reminiscent of similar legislation in Russia. Known as the “foreign agents” bill, it mandates that media outlets and NGOs register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if more than 20 percent of their funding comes from abroad.
The decision by Massive Attack followed a plea from the Shame Movement, a local civil society organization. In late April, the group urged the band to recognize the “serious and alarming political context” in which their concert would be held.
The Shame Movement`s letter highlighted the Georgian government’s oppressive actions against civil society, independent media, vulnerable groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, women, and ethnic and religious minorities.
The letter also cautioned that performing at the Black Sea Arena, a venue constructed by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili and now funded by the state, could be exploited by the ruling Georgian Dream party as part of its pre-election strategy. The letter reads “At this moment, performing at the state-owned Black Sea Arena could be seen as an endorsement of their violent crackdown against peaceful protests and civil society,” said the band in a statement. “Beatings, arrests, threats, and violence against peaceful protesters, activists, and opponents, along with laws smearing civil society and denying LGBTI rights, go against everything we stand for.”
It continued: “We stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters in Georgia defying state violence & feel that it is their voices that need to be heard and their struggle that needs to be under the international spotlight. We’ll return and perform with you in freedom. #ProtecttheProtest”.
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