Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) is calling on New York City officials to cancel a Central Park performance at a city-sponsored event by Kehlani, a performer who has called for the destruction of Israel and Zionism.
Kehlani is set to perform in June at a Pride event sponsored by the City Parks Foundation, an independent nonprofit that receives city funding to promote arts, sports, education and other programming in city parks. But Mayor Eric Adams has disputed whether the mayor’s office has any ability to cancel the performance or withhold funds.
Kehlani has posted repeatedly on her Instagram stories calling to “DISMANTLE ISRAEL. ERADICATE ZIONISM,” and calling Zionists “the scum of the Earth.” The performer has also reposted content expressing support for “resistance in all of its forms,” describing Zionists as “evil,” saying that “no one should feel comfortable or safe until Zionism is extinguished” and characterizing all Israelis as settlers.
Ritchie Torres is a democrat US representative from new york, whose been on the wrong side of genocide since Oct 7th kicked off the current bullshit, Kehlani is a nonbinary pop singer whose been very vocal about supporting palestinians and calling out israel for the genocide that Torres seems to support.
I don’t know if Kehlani supports hamas, but she’s made statements that, uh, certainly could be interpreted that way. (or, just general support for palestine more broadly.)
either way, it’s probably worth pointing out that Torres is one of the top recipients of AIPAC contributions in 2023.