NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUN 7 – JUN 13, 2018 | VOL. 15 NO. 23
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LGBT Community Still Haunts Sizzla Controversial Jamaican artiste Sizzla Kalonji will not be performing in northern California next month as gay rights activists objected to the planned event. Sizzla Kalonji
By Kathy Barrett
Sizzla, whose real name is Miguel Orlando Collins, is well known for his stance against homosexuality, and has in the past come under attack for his anti-gay lyrics. This time around, the artiste was scheduled to perform at the popular Reggae on the River show, hosted by the Mateel Community Centre in northern California. However according to reports board members cancelled the July 13 concert due to financial constraints. But in response to news of the cancellation, gay rights advocates have lauded the decision, stating that the board of Mateel “listened to our community”. “We really appreciate the board of
“There are so many other amazing artistes they could have chosen, but they chose this one, which is a slap in the face of our local queer community here in Humboldt County.” – Todd Larson, Queer Humboldt group. Mateel listening to our community and adhering to their mission statement of embracing diversity,” said Todd Larson, founder of the Queer Humboldt group. Larson has been quoted as saying that the board of directors at the Mateel Community Center is aware of the artiste's reputation.
“There are so many other amazing artistes they could have chosen, but they chose this one, which is a slap in the face of our local queer community here in Humboldt County," he said. The popular Reggae on the River show has been hosted by the community center for several years. The Mateel Community Center, is known for booking anti-gay performers in the face of public opposition. In 2016, Reggae on the River, was headlined by Sizzla, and this marked his first performance in the United States since 2008, when his visa and work permit were revoked. Sizzla's anti-gay lyrics have been the source of controversy that has led to canceled concerts worldwide. The dancehall artiste is among a handful for performers to be called out by the ‘Stop Murder Music’ campaign for prompting “violence” against members of the LGBT community.
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Jamaican PM Holness To Make Historic G7 Address By Garth A. Rose
Although Jamaica isn't a member of the affluent international club known as the Group of Seven, or more commonly the G7, Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness has secured a historic spot at the upcoming meeting in Quebec, Canada from June 8th - 9th. Holness was specially invited to attend and address the Summit, which consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, by the Summit's host and president, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This will be the first time a Jamaican prime minister will address a G7 Summit. This week's summit will focus on issues such as building resilient coasts and communities, ocean knowledge and science, and sustainable oceans and fisheries. The Jamaican prime minister is scheduled to make a presentation to the global leaders, including US President Donald Trump. He will also participate in an exchange with the leaders at the summit. The leaders will continues on A10 G7 Address
Andrew Holness
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