December 05, (THEWILL) – Women for Change, a South African non-profit organization, has initiated a petition calling for the cancellation of Chris Brown’s performance at First National Bank Stadium in Johannesburg on December 14.
The concert, announced in September, has sold out, but the Non-Governmental Organisation is urging the South African government to deny Chris Brown a visa due to his history of violence against women.
Brown was convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Rihanna, in 2009, and has since faced multiple allegations of violence against other women.
The organisation argues that allowing him to perform in South Africa would be a direct insult to women and girls affected by gender-based violence, especially as the concert falls just days after the global observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The petition read in part, “Women For Change calls on concert organisers ‘big concerts’, promoters, and the South African government to reconsider the decision to allow Chris Brown to perform in Johannesburg on 14 December 2024.
“His concert is scheduled just days after the global commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, making this event a direct insult to the millions of women and girls affected by violence in South Africa and worldwide.
“Chris Brown has a well-documented history of violence towards several women. In 2009, he was convicted of brutally assaulting his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, a case that sparked global outrage.
“Despite his conviction, his troubling behaviour has continued, with multiple accusations of violence against other women, with ‘Quiet on Set’ Producers Announce the ‘Chris Brown: A History of Violence’ Documentary, which will premiere this October.”
The petition which was initiated on October 2 has garnered nearly 52,000 signatures.
