In addition to being asked to pull out his upcoming performance at the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the 'Peaches' hitmaker is urged to end the alleged 'association' with his 'Saudi boss.'
- Nov 22, 2021
AceShowbiz - Justin Bieber has been urged to cancel his performance in Saudi Arabia. The "Peaches" hitmaker was publicly called out in ads plastered on drive-by billboards that were seen cruising around the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, where the 2021 American Music Awards was being held.
On Sunday, November 21, the "Yummy" crooner was put on blast as his image was seen next to the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The ads also called for the 27-year-old pop star to end the alleged "association" or at least to call attention to what's going on ahead of his performance at the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on December 5.
"Bieber, Your Saudi Boss Murders Journalists. Do the Right Thing, Cancel!" one ad read. In the meantime, another said, "It's Not Too Late Now to Say Sorry. Don't Sing for Saudi Arabia's Dictator!" A separate message stated, "Justin, Don't Be a Pawn for Saudi Killers."
The public call out came after Human Rights Foundation's chairman Garry Kasparov and CEO Thor Halvorssen issued an open letter to Justin, in which they begged the singer to call off his gig "as a symbol of solidarity with the ongoing suffering of the Saudi people." They also cited the country's barbaric treatment of the LGBTQ+ community and women in their message as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been accused of multiple human rights violations in the past.
"We are writing to urgently inform you of the human rights crisis in Saudi Arabia, to explain the role that the regime of MBS [Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman] has played in violating the rights of tens of millions of Saudis," Garry and Thor stated in the letter. They went on to ask the "Stay" hitmaker to "consider the unfortunate implications of your engagement with the brutal dictatorship of MBS."
Garry and Thor went on to add, "To respectfully request that, in light of your status as a global personality, you take this opportunity to positively influence human rights policy in Saudi Arabia by canceling your appearance." They also claimed that Saudi Arabia's monarchy "is happy" to throw money at entertainers in order to cover up their abuse of power.
"The Saudi regime is happy to pay large sums to international celebrities to give the Kingdom a veneer of respectability," the letter dated November 2 continued to read. "As long as the human rights violations occurring within Saudi Arabia are never mentioned."
