A number of public figures called on the authority to pull the plug on Kanye West’s shows
As Kanye West is set to perform in Tampa after nearly a decade, excitement is flooding among his fanbase.
But not everyone there is rolling out the red carpet for the controversial rapper.
However, the Tampa Sports Authority — the governing body of Raymond James Stadium, where the concert will be held — swiftly responded to the critics.
“We condemn antisemitism from any source. However, we also respect free speech rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, even when we disagree with that speech.”
“In addition, no taxpayer money is being used for staging the Ye concerts. To suggest otherwise is false.”
The statement comes on the heels of backlash from a string of Republicans in Florida as well as Jewish leaders.
Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody joined hands by urging the Tampa Sports Authority to scrap West’s upcoming show while arriving at the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg.
The group pointed to the Chicago rapper’s history of delivering antisemitic remarks.
They argued this alone has made Ye ineligible to perform at what the group said was a publicly owned venue.
“The Tampa Bay Sports Authority has a choice,” Sen. Scott said.
“They can either stand by and allow and ultimately say they’re not going to worry about antisemitism, or they can do the right thing.”
West, meanwhile, will hit the stage in Tampa on June 26 and 28.