San Antonio City Council denies mayor’s request to cancel Kanye West concert
Kanye West is set to perform in San Antonio as planned after the city council denied the mayor’s request to cancel the show.
The Chicago rapper is set to take over the Alamodome on July 4th, but various people have condemned the appearance over his past antisemitic comments.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones claimed that the concert should be cancelled in a message on social media.
“I support cancelling the @kanyewest concert,” she wrote. “Military City USA should not host someone with a record of hate speech and antisemitic comments in a city-funded facility like our Alamodome – not ever, and certainly not on July 4th, our Nation’s 250th birthday.”
However, the San Antonio City Council have released a statement, denying calls to cancel the show.
“We strongly condemn antisemitism, hate, and any ideology that seeks to divide or intimidate members of our community,” they began. “Many residents have expressed legitimate concerns about Ye’s scheduled July 4th concert, and we take those concerns seriously.”
They continued, “We can condemn hate without resorting to censorship, which could set a precedent toward limiting expression based on objectionable viewpoints. The City does not endorse his rhetoric by allowing use of a public venue, just as a public library does not endorse every book’s viewpoint simply by carrying it.”
They went on to say that the show is projected to generate around $1.7 million for the venue, with local hotel bookings also up 22 per cent.
They concluded, “We remain committed to ensuring that all communities feel welcome and safe in our city. San Antonio stands united against antisemitism and all forms of hatred, and we remain committed to fostering a community where everyone feels safe, welcome, and respected.”