Massive Attack has cancelled one of their upcoming shows in Georgia in solidarity with protests against “government’s attack on basic human rights” . The British band was scheduled to perform on 28 July at the Black Sea Arena, a state-owned venue that promoted the event as an “audio-visual theatrical show” that would “present [the band’s] activities linked with the details of everyday life”. In a statement posted on the band’s social media, Massive Attack announced they would not be performing as it could be seen as “endorsement of [the government’s] violent crackdown against peaceful protests and civil society”.
“We’ve decided to cancel our show in Georgia on 28 July in protest of the Georgian government’s attack on basic human rights. At this moment, performing at the state-owned Black Sea Arena could be seen as an endorsement of their violent crackdown against peaceful protests and civil society,” the band said. “Beatings, arrests, threats, and violence against peaceful protesters, activists, and opponents, along with laws smearing civil society and denying LGBTI rights, go against everything we stand for.
“We stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters in Georgia defying state violence & feel that it is their voices that need to be heard and their struggle that needs to be under the international spotlight. We’ll return and perform with you in freedom.” Event organisers have said ticket holders will be refunded.
The announcement co.
