Last week we did it: Nicki Minaj became the first artist to cancel her performance in Saudi Arabia. It was a big win and now we want to use the momentum to get South Korean K-Pop band BTS to cancel their October show in Saudi. Sign our letter to BTS now.
The seven-member youth group BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, has had numerous US and world chart-topping hits. They are the first group since the Beatles to earn three #1 albums in less than a year.
BTS lyrics address issues like mental health, loss, self-love, and the troubles of school-age youth. But what about Yemeni youth? Since 2015, 85,000 Yemeni children have died of malnutrition as a result of the Saudi/UAE bombing campaign. The slogan for BTS’s 2019 world tour is Love Yourself, Be Yourself, but at this point, Yemen children just want to live.
BTS has an enormous fan base among the LGBTQ+ community. But in Saudi Arabia, homosexuality is illegal. Just three months ago, the kingdom executed five men for the “crime” of homosexuality — their confessions were exacted through torture.
When Nicki Minaj canceled her Saudi performance she said, “While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression.” Let’s ask BTS to make clear their support for basic human rights, too. Send them a message now asking them to cancel their Saudi performance.
Towards a more peaceful world,
Ann, Ariel, Carley, Clara, Georgia, Jodie, Maya, Mark, Medea, Megan, Nancy, Paki, Rose, Ryan, Sarah, Teri, Tighe, Umama, Ursula, and Zena
