Three protests planned at 1st Ye show in Arnhem; Thousands of fans still excited to go
So far, three demonstrations have been registered with the municipality of Arnhem for the first concert by rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, in the GelreDome on Saturday. Despite the controversy, thousands of fans are eager for the two performances. Around 70,000 tickets have been sold.
It concerns demonstrations by the Jewish organization CIDI and two “individuals,” Arnhem mayor Ahmed Marcouch said to RTL Nieuws. They will be given a place where they can be “visible and audible for what they are demonstrating against,” Marcouch said. He added that he understands that people want to make their voices heard, and he will facilitate this.
“We want to make ourselves heard because anti-Semitism must not be accepted or normalized,” Naomi Mestrum of CIDI told the broadcaster. “Not even when it concerns a major artist. Silence is not an option.”
Ye has made many antisemitic and pro-Nazi statements in the past, including releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler,” praising the German Nazi leader, and selling T-shirts with a swastika on them via his website.
In recent weeks, there have been multiple pushes from Jewish organizations and parties in parliament to not let the American rapper into the country. The Central Jewish Council (CJO) even filed a lawsuit to that effect, but the court ruled that the rapper was allowed to perform.
Ye is performing in the GelreDome on Saturday and Monday. 70,000 tickets have been sold. Suzanna from Hilversum is attending with her 16-year-old son. “I absolutely disapprove of his statements, but ultimately, the outing with my son outweighed the controversy for me,” she told RTL Nieuws. "My son had been nagging me for tickets for a very long time. I used to listen to Kanye West myself, especially his older music. A few months ago, I thought: I'll give in to my motherly instincts and buy tickets for the two of us as a surprise."
