The GOOD Party, alongside anti-gender-based violence activists, is calling for the cancellation of Chris Brown’s upcoming South African concerts, citing his controversial history of domestic violence, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Women For Change demands Chris Brown concert boycott
US singer Chris Brown, set to perform two December shows at FNB Stadium, has sparked controversy for ‘taunting’ petitioners seeking to revoke his visa.
His performances coincide with the government’s 16 Days of Activism against GBV, and next week, Investigation Discovery will air a documentary on his history of abuse, particularly towards women.
In a press release, the GOOD Party, led by Patricia de Lille, expressed concern over the message Chris Brown’s concert sends to South Africans.
🚨 The GOOD Party says NO to abuse! Chris Brown’s concert sends the wrong message. We can’t normalise abusers. No stage for abusers. Stand up for women’s safety!
Read more: https://t.co/pa8ByhLFsk#GOODParty #NoStageForAbusers #EndGBVF #SpeakUp #DontShutUp pic.twitter.com/DolyJUIgxX
— GOOD (@ForGoodZA) October 16, 2024
GOOD National Youth Chairperson Kaden Arguile and GOOD Women representative Rachel Wapad made the statement on behalf of the party.
‘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.
‘Given the South African GBVF pandemic we cannot separate the art from the artist.’
The party cited recent Crime Statistics (April to June 2024), showing a rise in contact crimes against women, with 966 women murdered and over 13 000 assault cases reported.
The party argues that South Africa cannot afford to normalise or give a platform to Chris Brown, a known abuser with a history of violence that includes his 2009 assault of Rihanna and a 2017 restraining order from ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran.
‘We have a responsibility to prove we are taking Gender-based violence seriously.’
‘The fight against GBVF is not just big bold actions taken by government but rather a collection of the daily decisions taken by ordinary citizens.’
‘We call on the concert organisers and those who plan to attend his concert to think about the implications of placing a man like him on a pedestal.’
‘It is time we stood up in a collective voice and said no to abuse.’
A petition by anti-GBV group Women For Change, addressed to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, is gaining traction with over 40 000 signatures, calling for Chris Brown’s visa to be revoked.
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Picture: Gallo
