Tampa Jewish Federation and Florida NOW Protest Kanye West's Upcoming Concerts Local advocacy groups and elected officials are urging Tampa to reconsider hosting Kanye West, arguing his history of antisemitic rhetoric outweighs his recent public apology. Opposition to the rapper’s upcoming concerts in Tampa has intensified, with the Tampa Jewish Federation, the Florida Holocaust Museum, and the Florida chapter of the National Organization for Women issuing statements against the events. The concerts, scheduled for June 26 and June 28 at Raymond James Stadium, have drawn criticism from prominent figures, including Florida Senator Rick Scott, who has called for the Tampa Sports Authority to cancel the shows. Scott’s letter to the authority’s board of directors highlighted West’s long-standing antisemitic remarks, including his past praise for Nazis and his self-identification as a Nazi. He questioned whether taxpayer-funded public venues should host an artist with such a history, stating, “No taxpayer dollars should be used to give a vocal antisemite a stage in Florida.” The Tampa Sports Authority has refused to cancel the events, emphasizing its commitment to free speech while condemning offensive remarks or actions by performers. Members of Tampa’s Jewish community remain unconvinced by West’s public apology, which he attributed to bipolar disorder and a frontal lobe injury. Eric Stillman, president of the Florida Holocaust Museum, expressed skepticism about the sincerity of the apology, noting that the Jewish community expects tangible actions to demonstrate a genuine change of heart. The museum has announced free admission during the concerts, encouraging residents to engage with Holocaust education amid the controversy.#kanye_west #raymond_james_stadium #tampa_jewish_federation #florida_holocaust_museum #florida_now
Tampa Jewish Federation and FL NOW Oppose Kanye West's Concerts Amid Antisemitism Concerns Kanye West, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, is set to perform in Tampa at the end of June, sparking backlash from local Jewish organizations and advocacy groups. The Florida Holocaust Museum, the Tampa Jewish Federation, and the Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) have all publicly condemned his concerts, citing concerns over his past antisemitic remarks and alleged glorification of Nazi ideology. The controversy follows a letter from Florida Senator Rick Scott urging the Tampa Sports Authority to cancel the events, which are scheduled for June 26 and 28 at Raymond James Stadium. Eric Stillman, president of the Florida Holocaust Museum, expressed skepticism about the sincerity of West’s recent apology for his past comments. “To say he was sorry and to say it was based on a manic episode and not to take any actions after that, to demonstrate that this was a sincere change of heart, is really what is so hard for the members of the Jewish community in Tampa, and throughout the region and throughout the world to take that as sincere,” Stillman said. The museum released a statement condemning the decision to host West, arguing that it sends a message that antisemitism can be overlooked for the sake of entertainment. In response, the museum announced free admission for the public during the concert dates, aiming to provide an educational opportunity for those critical of the events. Stillman emphasized that opening the museum to a wider audience would allow visitors to engage with Holocaust history and counteract the narrative that West’s platform is acceptable.#kanye_west #raymond_james_stadium #tampa_jewish_federation #fl_now #florida_holocaust_museum
