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Italy bans Kanye West, Travis Scott concerts over security concerns

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Italian authorities banned two concerts by US rappers Kanye West and Travis Scott in Reggio Emilia due to public order and security concerns.
  • The decision followed concerns raised by consumer groups and the Jewish community regarding West's history of antisemitic remarks and Scott's past concert safety issues.
  • The close timing of the concerts and the expected large influx of attendees were also cited as factors in the ban.

Italian authorities have banned two highly anticipated concerts by US rappers Kanye West, also known as Ye, and Travis Scott in Reggio Emilia. The cancellations, scheduled for July, were ordered by local prefect Salvatore Angieri due to significant public order and security concerns.

The local prefect, Salvatore Angieri, ordered the cancellation due to concerns about public order and security, including the potential for protests.

— AuthoritiesExplaining the reason for the concert ban.

The decision came after requests from consumer group CODACONS and the Jewish community in Modena and Reggio Emilia, who specifically raised alarms about West. The rapper has faced numerous concert cancellations across Europe this summer following years of antisemitic statements, including praise for Adolf Hitler and the use of Nazi imagery.

The decision was taken following requests from consumer group CODACONS and the Jewish community in Modena and Reggio Emilia, which had raised particular concerns about Ye.

— AuthoritiesDetailing the specific groups that prompted the security review.

Travis Scott's inclusion in the ban also stems from scrutiny over concert safety, particularly after a 2021 crowd crush at the Astroworld festival in Houston that resulted in 10 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The proximity of Scott's planned July 17 performance at the RCF Arena to West's scheduled appearance the following day, coupled with the anticipated massive influx of over 100,000 spectators within 24 hours, heightened security worries.

Authorities cited the close timing of the two shows and the high influx of spectators expected within 24 hours as factors behind the ban.

— AuthoritiesFurther elaborating on the security concerns.

Authorities cited the "concrete risk" of protests and the cancellation of other Ye concerts in Europe as further justification for the ban. While West has previously apologized for his remarks, attributing them to untreated bipolar disorder, he has continued to perform in some countries. There was no immediate comment from the artists or event organizers.

Britain denied Ye entry on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good.

Referencing a previous instance of West being denied entry to another country.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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