'No stage for Chris Brown in South Africa!' Women for Change launches petition against concert
"Chris Brown's history of violence against women stands in stark contrast to the values we fight for,” says non-profit Women for Change.
Chris Brown performs during The 11:11 Tour at T-Mobile Arena on August 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Mindy Small / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Big Concerts has announced that the R&B superstar Chris Brown has added a second date to his 'Breezy in South Africa' tour.
The performances will be on 14 and 15 December at Johannesburg's FNB Stadium.
Big Concerts took to Instagram on Thursday evening to announce the second date for the show.
However, a non-profit organisation advocating against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in South Africa, Women For Change, has launched a petition to cancel Brown's performance because it believes it would be an insult to South Africa's fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) due to Brown's past.
He has been convicted of assaulting his then-girlfriend and fellow musician Rihanna along with other allegations of abuse by women.
Brown's performance is scheduled a few days after the commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the organisation says his performance contradicts the purpose of these 16 days in a country like South Africa.
Women For Change took to its social media platforms to share its petition to stop Chris Brown's visa from being granted.
“Allowing a man with such a history of violence to perform in South Africa, a country grappling with one of the highest rates of GBV [and femicide] sends a harmful and dangerous message. Instead of glorifying individuals with a history of abuse, we must be empowering and supporting survivors,” the organisation states in a post on social media.
“His concert is scheduled just days after the global commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, making this event a direct insult to the millions of women and girls affected by violence in South Africa and worldwide. Chris Brown's history of violence against women stands in stark contrast to the values we fight for.”
Women for Change has received 3000 signatures so far. It aims for 5000.
However, others believe the petition is unnecessary and are excited about the artist coming to South Africa to perform.