Patricia de Lille’s GOOD Party has called for the cancellation of American singer Chris Brown’s upcoming South African concerts, citing his controversial history of domestic violence.
Brown is set to perform at two sold-out shows at the FNB Stadium this December.
His performances coincide with the government’s 16 Days of Activism against GBV.
Petition
Furthermore, next week, Investigation Discovery will air a documentary on his history of abuse, particularly towards women.
Meanwhile, a petition by anti-GBV group Women For Change addressed to new Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber calling for Chris Brown’s visa to be revoked has had over 41 000 signatures at the time of publishing.
In a press release, the GOOD Party expressed concern over the message Brown’s concerts will convey to South Africans.
The statement was made by GOOD National Youth Chairperson Kaden Arguile and GOOD Women representative Rachel Wapad on behalf of the party on Thursday afternoon.
‘GOOD has run an extensive anti-GBVF campaign, Don’t Shut Up. Speak Up and now we all need to walk our talk,’ the statement reads in part.
‘Given the South African GBVF pandemic we cannot separate the art from the artist.’
The party cited Crime Statistics for the period April to June 2024 which showed a worrying rise in contact crimes against women, with 966 women murdered and over 13 000 assault cases reported.
Chris Brown has a known history of violence which includes an 2009 assault of Rihanna and a 2017 restraining order from ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran.
Should Chris Brown be barred from performing in South Africa?
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