A number of big name, top level celebrities are following in Stevie Wonder’s footsteps and are in plans to boycott Florida to protest the state’s “Stand Your Ground” laws.
The list, which was first reported by April Ryan, credited a “a source close to Wonder,” and says this list includes the likes of Madonna, Usher, Kanye West, Jay Z, Rihanna and Rod Stewart.
“I decided today that until the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again,” Wonder said at a concert in Quebec City. “As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world. The truth is that — for those of you who’ve lost in the battle for justice, wherever that fits in any part of the world — we can’t bring them back. What we can do is we can let our voices be heard. And we can vote in our various countries throughout the world for change and equality for everybody. That’s what I know we can do.”
Florida is not the only state with “Stand Your Ground” laws on its books — at least 23 other states have similar provisions providing varying degrees of legal protection to those who use force in perceived self-defense.
The Huffington Post is reaching out to representatives for a number of artists on this list and will update this post should more information be made available.
UPDATE: A local news outlet in Florida cites “an executive affiliated with the ‘Legends of the Summer’ tour” who says the Justin Timberlake and Jay Z concert planned for August 16 at Sun Life stadium will go on. As stated earlier, HuffPost has reached out to Timberlake and Jay Z’s reps for comment on the reported boycott.
The List of entertainers who are joining the Boycott include:
Rod Stewart
Madonna
Usher
Pattie Labelle
Kanye West
Mary J
Trey Songz
Jay Z
Rolling Stones
Justin Timberlake
R. Kelly
Rihanna
Alicia Keys
Joe
Will I AM
Keyshia Cole
Young Jeezy
Erykah Badu
Wale
Frankie Beverly
Parliament
