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
England Head Coach Thomas Tuchel Refuses to Let Tampa Pitch Conditions Influence Team Selection Thomas Tuchel took over as England head coach in January 2025 and stated that reports about the condition of the pitch for his team’s friendly against New Zealand will not affect his decisions regarding player selection. The match, scheduled for Saturday at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, has drawn attention due to concerns about the playing surface. The Daily Mail reported that the pitch, described as a “plug and play” surface, was installed just a week prior. This type of artificial surface, laid over a short period, has raised questions among football officials and players. Several pitches for World Cup matches are being used in stadiums that typically have artificial surfaces but have been relaid with grass. Travelling ground staff from the Football Association were reported to be in communication with the venue’s management regarding the pitch, which appeared slightly disjointed in some photographs. Despite these concerns, Tuchel emphasized that the condition of the pitch would not influence his team selection. “The plan is to play 45 minutes with two complete teams, to expose everyone to the same amount of minutes,” he said. “Then we can continue for the next three days with the same load of training. That is the plan and at the moment we are sticking to it.” England are in Florida for a pre-World Cup camp in West Palm Beach and will play New Zealand on Saturday (21:00 BST). The game is the first of two warm-ups, with the other being against Costa Rica on 10 June (21:00 BST), before the World Cup officially starts on 11 June.#new_zealand #thomas_tuchel #tampa #raymond_james_stadium #england_head_coach
Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan Deliver Unifying Super Bowl Anthem Performance Eric Church performed The Star-Spangled Banner as a duet with R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan during Super Bowl LV on February 7, 2021, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The performance, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, was intended to serve as a unifying moment for the nation amid heightened political and social tensions. Church described the event as a “weird time” but emphasized its significance as a shared experience for Americans during a period of uncertainty. He and Sullivan blended country and R&B styles to reinterpret the anthem, delivering a soulful rendition that resonated with audiences. Church explained on the Hometown Titans podcast with Taylor Zarzour that the performance was crafted to convey a message of collective resilience. He stated, “We’re gonna go there together, and it’s gonna be okay,” highlighting the importance of unity during challenging times. The performance was particularly meaningful given the context of the 2021 Capitol riot, which had sparked national conversations about division and healing. Church acknowledged the risks of singing the anthem at such a high-profile event, noting that a misstep could have lasting consequences. Despite the pressure, he and Sullivan executed the performance with precision, earning praise for their collaboration. The duo’s rendition was praised for its emotional depth and musical fusion, though it was noted that Chris Stapleton’s 2023 performance remains the most iconic Super Bowl anthem in country music history. Church, however, argued that his duet with Sullivan captured the spirit of the moment, blending genres to reflect the evolving cultural landscape.#super_bowl_lv #tampa_florida #eric_church #jazmine_sullivan #raymond_james_stadium
