According to The Fader, the recently-announced SXSW showcase titled ContraBanned: #MusicUnite will be featuring artists from the seven nations targeted by the Trump Administration’s travel ban. The event is hosted by Tamizdat which is a non-profit that helps musicians who have visa related issues, and also are involved with globalFEST. Iranian born Ash Koosha and Somali-Canadian singers Faarrow are two of the four artists announced so far with hopefully more to come. They company has started a Kickstarter for the event and are hoping that they can foster a sense of unity at the event.
Here is the full statement:
“If we are going to give voice to global artists, especially artists from often misunderstood and misrepresented Muslim-majority countries, and strengthen diversity in our culture, then we need to make it our mission to use whatever power we have at our disposal—the power of media, the power of capital, and the power of music—to promote diversity, empathy, and understanding.”
The controversial executive order that led to the short ban on travel to the United States from seven nations: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days. The order was applied immediately late on a Friday, causing chaos, confusion and protests. The ban was halted a few days later after courts across the country found it unconsitutional. It then moved to the 9th Circuit Appeals Court, where it was once again rejected by a trio of non-partisan judges. The ban has had a huge affect on the Muslim community, leaving citizens, green card holders and others fearful of traveling abroad due to worries they will be blocked from re-entry. The Trump Administration has announced that a new, revised version of the ban will be announced soon.
ContraBanned: #MusicUnites Showcase
Ash Koosha (Iran/UK)
Faarrow (Somolia/Canada)
Khaled M (Libya/US)
Mamek Khadem (Iran/US)
Bassel and the Supernaturals (Syria/US)
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