Pharrell is set to face protests during his South African tour over the next few months from a pro-Palestinian group that opposes his partnership with Woolworths, a major retailer in the country that has trade ties with Israel.
The South African branch of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions --a movement opposed to the Israeli occupation of Palestine -- is primarily upset about Pharrell's involvement in Woolworths' "Are You With Us" campaign.
Pharrell is going to be acting as the style director on several projects, including botha fashion line and fundraiser for education, which are all centered around promoting sustainability. Cape Town has denied BDS an application to stage a protest on September 21st, the night of Pharrell's first concert. Grand West Casino, the venue for the first show, has also said they are not allowing protests on their property.
Braam Hanekom, a BDS South Africa board member, said protestors could block roads to the venues or even potentially gather inside the venue. "He is about to face the biggest backlash any artist has faced in South Africa in over 30 years, since the days of apartheid," Hanekom said. "He is walking into a very angry, unhappy environment because he has chosen to walk with Woolworths."
In a previous statement, Woolworths said that it did not source produce from Palestinian territories currently occupied by Israel and that less than 0.1 percent of food came from Israel.
BDS protests are expected to draw large numbers of people, especially in Cape Town, where they have a large Muslim community. Pharrell is one of multiple other artists to face protests and be targeted by BDS, and the previous movements have been fairly successful.
By Devon Pyne for RAPstation.com
Pharrell prepares for protests during South African Tour
Pharrell is set to face protests during his South African tour over the next few months from a pro-Palestinian group that opposes his partnership with Woolworths, a major retailer in the country that has trade ties with Israel.
The South African branch of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions --a movement opposed to the Israeli occupation of Palestine -- is primarily upset about Pharrell's involvement in Woolworths' "Are You With Us" campaign.
Pharrell is going to be acting as the style director on several projects, including botha fashion line and fundraiser for education, which are all centered around promoting sustainability. Cape Town has denied BDS an application to stage a protest on September 21st, the night of Pharrell's first concert. Grand West Casino, the venue for the first show, has also said they are not allowing protests on their property.
Braam Hanekom, a BDS South Africa board member, said protestors could block roads to the venues or even potentially gather inside the venue. "He is about to face the biggest backlash any artist has faced in South Africa in over 30 years, since the days of apartheid," Hanekom said. "He is walking into a very angry, unhappy environment because he has chosen to walk with Woolworths."
In a previous statement, Woolworths said that it did not source produce from Palestinian territories currently occupied by Israel and that less than 0.1 percent of food came from Israel.
BDS protests are expected to draw large numbers of people, especially in Cape Town, where they have a large Muslim community. Pharrell is one of multiple other artists to face protests and be targeted by BDS, and the previous movements have been fairly successful.
By Devon Pyne for RAPstation.com
