Kanye West performs in Tampa amid protests over antisemitism, Senator's petition

Mobile billboards protesting American rapper Ye, also known as Kanye West, circled Tampa's Raymond James Stadium on Friday. The demonstrations followed Republican Senator Rick Scott's push to cancel the performer's concerts in Florida due to his history of antisemitic remarks.

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There’s no place for antisemitism in Florida, especially at the expense of the taxpayer.

"There’s no place for antisemitism in Florida, especially at the expense of the taxpayer," Scott stated in a petition. He argued that public money and resources should not support such events, urging that the concerts should not occur at publicly funded venues.

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As leaders, we should do everything in our power to keep public money and resources out of this kind of event, and that’s why these concerts should not take place at Raymond James Stadium or any other publicly supported venue in the State of Florida.

The Tampa Sports Authority, however, denied that taxpayer funds were being used for the concerts. While condemning antisemitism, the authority affirmed its respect for Ye's free speech rights. Scott later posted on X that Ye would not be permitted to sell Nazi-related merchandise or promote Nazism during the performances.

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It’s deeply concerning there even has to be a commitment like this made by a performer in a publicly funded facility.

Scott had previously held a press conference with Holocaust survivors and Jewish leaders, asserting that tolerating such performances was unacceptable. "Some of the worst sins in human history begin with the words, 'I was just,'" Scott said, warning against excusing hatred and antisemitism.

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People say, ‘Oh, it’s just a concert. Oh, the Tampa Bay Sports Authority is going to make some money, let people have their fun.’ Some of the worst sins in human history begin with the words, ‘I was just’: ‘I was just going to a concert with my friends,’ ‘I was just trying to make money,’ ‘I was just following orders.’ No, you can’t do that. None of us should be let off the hook for hatred and antisemitism.