There are heightened calls to ban Elephant Man and Sizzla from performing at multiple concerts in Canada from gay rights groups. This opposition is becoming quite frequent for reggae dancehall artists when on tour. The groups claim that the Sizzla and Elephant Man "perform music it says incites violence against gays and lesbians."
"Artists have the right to free speech, but their presence in Canada can be perceived as a licence to incite violence. Canada has banned anti-Jew, anti-black people from entering the country. This should be no different."
"Concert promoters have a responsibility not to provide a platform for artists that openly promote violence against any group in society," said Helen Kennedy, executive director of Egale Canada, a campaign supporter. "We hope that the promoters will do the right thing and cancel these concerts."
Thus far the venue for the Elephant Man venue in St. Catharines has been cancelled. There is no word from Koolhaus regarding the Sizzla concert. There has been recent reports of these artists signing the much despised Reggae Compassionate Act that is being pushed hard by gay rights activist Peter Tatchell. On numerous forums for Caribbean based members, are voicing their displeasure at the gay rights groups attempts to halt the concerts.
There are reports on ttgapers.com detailing attempts to stifle Sizzla in Montreal, banning Beenie Man in Europe and USA, and also attempts to muzzle reggae superstar Buju Banton on many occasions. Just recently GLAAD attempted to ban Bounty Killer and Buju Banton in New York. In the past also, Sizzla refused to apologize while in the UK.
