Pro-Palestinian group demands apology over WOMAD artist stance

A prolific protest group has issued an open letter to WOMAD organisers calling for an apology – and one of Adelaide’s top civil servants has supported the cause.

Jamaican singer Ziggy Marley. Pics: Supplied by Womadelaide.

A prolific protest group has demanded a full apology from WOMADelaide over its decision to uninvite a Palestinian artist from its line-up, but keep Jamaican peace crooner Ziggy Marley in its top billing.

Australian Friends of Palestine Association posted an “open letter” to WOMAD in the latest instalment of protests playing out over social media.

The letter was purportedly signed by 26 named people or groups and another 11 “anonymous” people it says include WOMAD workers, vendors and performers, and “hundreds of community members and festival attendees”.

Among those named is Adelaide Deputy Lord Mayor Keiran Snape and South Australian Greens MLA Tammy Franks, among other WOMAD performers and speakers.

Mr Snape also posted in support of pro-Palestinian supporters outside WOMAD

In it, the group highlights what it says is a “contrast” between rescinding 47SOUL’s invite to perform and supporting Marley’s act at the festival.

Deputy Lord Mayor , City of Adelaide , Keiran Snape . Social Media posts . Picture: Facebook

“As artists, performers and speakers who have participated in past and present WOMADelaide festivals, we are deeply disappointed to learn of WOMAD’s decision to rescind their invitation for Palestinian and Jordanian music group 47SOUL to perform at this year’s festival.

“We understand the power and platform that large events like WOMAD provide performers.

“The removal of Palestinian musicians contributes to a wider silencing and erasure of Palestinian voices and culture at a time when it’s never been more important for us to show our support.

Deputy Lord Mayor , City of Adelaide , Keiran Snape . Social Media posts . Picture: Facebook

“That this decision was made on the basis of WOMAD being unable to ensure a ‘suitably safe environment’ for artists and audiences is also deeply troubling.

“As 47SOUL have said, this reasoning reinforces the false narrative that Palestinian people are an inherent source of danger to others, and is based on racist and deeply harmful stereotypes.

“This decision was also made in contrast to WOMAD’s continued platforming and support of Ziggy Marley.

“At a time when there is widespread media silence and a lack of political action, artists play a key role in raising awareness and creating change.

“During South African apartheid, art, artists and artist boycotts played a key role in shifting hearts and minds, driving the movement towards freedom for all.

“In silencing Palestinian performers and platforming supporters of the Israeli military, we believe that WOMAD is on the wrong side of history, and fundamentally contradicting its own values of multiculturalism, environmentalism and Indigenous rights.

“We call on WOMAD to make a full apology to 47SOUL, an unequivocal condemnation of the Israeli genocide of Palestinian voices now and throughout festivals to come.”

It comes as festival goers hit out at WOMAD organisers for what they said was a lack of control and a double standard around protesters in the crowd at Marley’s headline act on Monday night.

Originally published as Pro-Palestinian group demands apology over WOMAD artist stance