Gil Scott Heron was part of the United Artists Against Apartheid in the early 80’s.He sang against Apartheid and against artists playing at Sun City:
Shockingly he has a concert date booked in Tel Aviv on 25th May 2010.
We must get the concert cancelled!
By performing in Israel Gil Scott Heron would violate the almost unanimously endorsed Palestinian civil society Call for Boycotts, Divestments, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel – a call is directed particularly towards international activists, artists, and academics of conscience.
He has a few gigs booked here. Watch the events list for details of protests outside. They are all sold out, but several people who have tickets have posted comments on his Facebook saying that they will be going in with banners and Palestinian Flags.
Royal Festival Hall London – 20th and 24th April
HMV picture house Edinburgh – 21st April
Warehoure Aberdeen – 22nd April
Manchester Opera House – 25th April
You can email him via his publishers at joanna.dingley[at]canongate.co.uk, send him messages via his Facebook wall, or his MySpace page, and on the webpage for his new video Me and the Devil at:
http://gilscottheron.net/video/14/me-and-the-devil.
You can write what you like, but if you want ideas this is what I wrote:
“I am shocked! You have spent your life talking and singing against racism and apartheid. You have inspired millions – me included. And now, you have turned your back on those struggling for justice, and chosen to support the racist apartheid state of Israel.
“You sang about ID cards in South Africa, but don’t you know about ID cards in the West Bank and Gaza? You sang about the boycott of Apartheid South Africa, but don’t you know about the boycott of Apartheid Israel?
“Just in case you don’t know, please contact the Palestinian movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, and ask them if they think you should play in Tel Aviv. Their website is www.bdsmovement.net.
“As the article on your website says: ‘No matter how far wrong you have gone, you can always turn around”. On behalf of all my friends in Palestine, and all those in exile around the world I appeal to you: Turn around now, cancel Tel Aviv, tell the world you are still against apartheid.’
“I look forward to a positive response, Sarah Cobham”
Sarah Cobham
e-mail: scobham[at]gmail.com
