13 members of the New York Metropolis Council are calling on the Metropolis Parks Basis to reinstate the canceled SummerStage performances of R&B singer Kehlani and rapper Noname, denouncing the cancellations as a “blatant act of artistic censorship.”
REUTERS/Daniel Cole
13 members of the New York Metropolis Council are calling on the Metropolis Parks Basis to reinstate the canceled SummerStage performances of R&B singer Kehlani and rapper Noname, denouncing the cancellations as a “blatant act of artistic censorship.”
In a letter despatched to basis leaders on Tuesday, Council Members Tiffany Cabán and Dr. Nantasha Williams, joined by 11 colleagues, condemned the cancellations of “Pride with Kehlani” and “Juneteenth with Noname / Ravyn Lenae / Fana Hues,” linking them to the artists’ criticism of the Israeli authorities’s actions in Gaza.
The lawmakers known as the cancellations of subsequent month’s Central Park live shows a risk to free speech and creative expression. They pledged public help for the inspiration if it reverses the choice, although a reinstatement stays unlikely.
“We urge you to reverse the cancellation of Kehlani and Noname’s SummerStage concerts and recommit to your stated values of free speech and artistic expression,” they wrote. “We will stand with you and support you.”
Live shows an ‘unacceptable risk’?
Jul 15, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Singer-songwriter Kehlani performs throughout halftime on the 2023 WNBA All-Star Sport at Michelob Extremely Enviornment. Obligatory Credit score: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Metropolis Parks Basis, a nonprofit that runs SummerStage with private and non-private funding, introduced on Might 5 that Kehlani’s June 26 live performance was canceled after the Mayor’s Workplace raised safety considerations stemming from controversy surrounding Cornell College’s earlier cancellation of Kehlani’s campus present there, in addition to safety calls for all through the Metropolis for different Satisfaction occasions throughout that very same interval.
The day prior, the town instructed the inspiration it deliberate to hold out an NYPD safety evaluation of the occasion and warned that if the live performance posed “unacceptable risk,” the Basis’s license to make use of public parks may very well be reconsidered.
“If, after conducting that security assessment, the NYPD were to determine that serious security concerns existed and posed an unacceptable risk to public safety, we would then have to determine what effect, if any, this would have on the status of the Foundation’s license,” Deputy First Mayor Randy Mastro wrote in a letter to the inspiration. “If the Basis doesn’t promptly take steps to make sure public security, the town reserves all rights and treatments with respect to the Basis’s license.
Kehlani, a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and featured Palestinian flags and the phrase “long live the intifada” in her 2024 music video “Next 2 U.”
She denied allegations of antisemitism in response to Cornell’s choice to cancel her live performance, stating on social media, “I am anti-genocide … anti the bombing of innocent children, men, women — that’s what I’m anti.” A consultant for the artist didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Noname, additionally a outstanding supporter of Palestine, has criticized U.S. funding of Israel and signed the “Musicians for Palestine” pledge advocating a cultural boycott. Her June 18 SummerStage live performance was additionally canceled, although the Metropolis Parks Basis stated that call got here from the artist and promoter Stay Nation.
Neither Noname nor Stay Nation reps responded to New York News’s request for remark.
“City Parks Foundation made the difficult decision to cancel the Kehlani concert in response to the security concerns raised by City Hall,” stated Metropolis Parks Basis Govt Director Heather Lubov. “The concerns also suggested that our license to operate SummerStage would be in jeopardy if we let the concert go on. The Mayor’s Office cited the controversy surrounding Cornell University’s decision to cancel Kehlani’s concert at the University, as well as security demands in Central Park and throughout the City for other Pride events during that same time period.”
Lubov added {that a} cause for the cancellation of Noname’s occasion was not offered to SummerStage.
‘Deeply disturbed’ at Metropolis Corridor over singer’s remarks
Metropolis Corridor denied involvement in both cancellation, saying its solely position was elevating security considerations relating to Kehlani’s occasion. Press Secretary Kayla Mamelak stated Mayor Eric Adams was “deeply disturbed” by Kehlani’s previous remarks, which she described as “antisemitic,” however emphasised the Basis made the ultimate name.
“It’s a shame that some councilmembers are willing to jeopardize public safety and align themselves with antisemites,” Mamelak stated.
Cabán and Williams rejected these claims, suggesting that the Basis is “being bullied by Eric Adams and Randy Mastro in order to silence political dissent against the atrocities in Gaza and repress artistic expression.”
“Art and music are powerful forms of expression that must be nurtured and protected. In a moment when our federal administration remains hellbent on diminishing our collective rights and punishing political dissent, artists and artistic expression must be defended. Here in New York City, we will not allow our local government to do the same. Freedom of expression keeps us safe. A healthy democracy keeps us safe. Randy Mastro and Eric Adams’ commitment to the Trump agenda, silencing artists and cultural organizations for their political views, is an unacceptable overreach,” stated Cabán.
Williams added, “These cancellations are not about safety, they’re about silencing. Black and brown artists have always spoken honestly about the world as it is and as it should be. That’s what Pride and Juneteenth demand of us: truth-telling, not retreat.”
Different signatories embody Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala and Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Carmen De La Rosa, Lincoln Restler, Carlina Rivera, Chi Ossé, Justin Brannan, Sandy Nurse, and Rita Joseph.
“We recognize that when powerful forces threaten to destroy what you’ve built, something beautiful and important to so many New Yorkers, it can be difficult to uphold one’s principles,” the joint letter reads. “This letter is a reminder that there are others who will stand with City Parks Foundation on the right side of history should your organization choose to stand in solidarity with everyday New Yorkers who share your vision of thriving parks and thriving communities – as you say, “for anyone and everyone.”
