Murder Music Singer Sizzla comes to Santa Cruz

NOTE: Please keep in mind that this information is NOT CURRENT. This is an archive of the information created as of the date of the events in question!

 ACTION ALERT: SIZZLA AT THE CATALYST, ADVOCATES KILLING QUEER PEOPLE  

UPDATE3: CATALYST WON'T MEET WITH GLBT ALLIANCE, PROTEST SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY THE 11TH
UPDATE2: CATALYST STATEMENT/OUR RESPONSE
UPDATE1: CATALYST REFUSES TO CANCEL

We know - deja vu all over again.

Once again, The Catalyst is bringing to town a dance hall reggae singer who advocates violence against gay men and lesbians: this time it's Sizzla, who may be worse than Capleton; while Capleton and others have agreed to tone down the homophobia, Sizzla recently refused to apologize, saying that queers should be the ones apologizing for being queer.

Sizzla's recent British tour was cancelled because the British government refused to allow him into the country; a reggae festival in France at which Sizzla was set to perform was cancelled because of the singer's virulent homophobia; a major reggae festival in Jamaica this summer was fined a reputed $20 million by its sponsor because of Sizzla's homophobic performance -- and now he's coming to Santa Cruz. (see links to stories at bottom of page)

While we recognize that Sizzla has a right to his views, and while we aren't trying to censor his ability to state those views, we don't believe that The Catalyst is obliged to provide a forum for someone who promotes violence against a community.

If it concerns you that a singer who thinks that it's good to incite people to kill queers is scheduled to sing in Santa Cruz, please do something about it. Call The Catalyst at 423-1338 and ask them not to allow violent homophobes on its stage; call The Catalyst's booking agent, Gary Tighe, at 464-1212 and tell him the same.

Ask any organization of which you're a member to contact The Catalyst; pass this message along to friends; get the word out -- and please let us know when you've called and what response you've gotten -- email info@homosexualagenda.org or call Alliance co-chairs Merrie Schaller at 831-335-3568 or Thomas Leavitt at 831-469-3382.

The GLBT Alliance will be working to get as much pressure on The Catalyst as we can, and will keep you updated -- but be prepared to demonstrate our outrage on September 11 if Sizzla's appearance goes on as scheduled.

Some of Sizzla's lyrics include (translations in parentheses):

Pump Up
Step up inna front line (Step up to the front line)
fire fi di man dem weh go ride man behind (burn the men who have sex with men from behind)
Shot battybwoy, my big gun boom (Shoot queers, my big gun goes boom)

Boom Boom
Boom boom! Batty boy them fi dead (Boom boom! Queers must be killed)

Get To Da Point
Sodomite and batty bwai mi seh a death fi dem (Sodomite and queers, I say death to them)
Mi no trust babylon fi a second yah so (I don¿t trust Babylon for a second)
Mi a go shot batty bwai dem widdi weapon ya (I go and shoot queers with a weapon [as in gunshots])

At a reggae concert in Chicago in April 2002, Sizzla bragged that he kills queers, and also incited the audience to murder gays and lesbians: "mi nuh go tek back mi chat... mi kill sodomite and batty man dem bring aids and disease pon people... shot a kill dem, mi nuh go tek back mi chat" [I wont take back my words... I kill sodomites and queers, they bring AIDS and disease upon people... shoot and kill them, I won't take back my words.]

A report by Amnesty International, dated May 17, 2004, about a reggae concert in Jamaica earlier that year, documented Sizzla and other reggae stars abusing and threatening to kill gay men:
"Throughout the night, Capleton, Sizzla and others sang almost exclusively about gay men. Using the derogatory terms for gay men - "chi chi men" or 'battybwoys' - they urged the audience to 'kill dem, battybwoys haffi dead, gun shots pon dem. Who want to see dem dead, put up his hand'
[kill them, queers have got to die, gun shots in their head, whoever wants to see them dead, put up your hand]

The All Music Guide says: A member of the militant Bobo Ashanti sect, [Sizzla] sometimes courted controversy with his strict adherence to their views, particularly his aggressive condemnations of homosexuals ...

In an interview by Richard Burnett in the Canadian entertainment magazine 'Hour' on 19 August 2004, Sizzla said: "...burn sodomite, burn battyman. Burn all things that are wrong. Burn it... We must get rid of Sodom and Gomorrah right now..."

The Jamaica Observer reported in September 2004 that Sizzla's neighbours launched a petition to get him to leave their community, saying his presence was "responsible for an upsurge of gun violence in the Kingston community".

• Sizzla Banned in the UK over Homophobic Lyrics
• No apology from 'anti-gay' singer
• Sumfest likely to drop Sizzla
• What happened to "one love"?, Richard Burnett, Hour Magazine

  SIZZLA UPDATE3: CATALYST WON'T MEET WITH GLBT ALLIANCE, PROTEST SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY THE 11TH

Because we haven't been able to meet with management, we'll be protesting The Catalyst's decision to support Sizzla; we'll be meeting at The Diversity Center, 177 Walnut Avenue, downtown Santa Cruz, at 5:30 on Sunday, September 11 to make signs and strategize; we'll leave there about 6:30 to go to The Catalyst, where we'll be until about 9:00 (or whatever feels appropriate.)

We will have signs, but encourage everyone to bring their own or to bring material for making some. Dress warmly, as the sun will be going down while we're there, and wear comfortable shoes.

We've also been speaking with other advocacy organizations about asking for a meeting with The Catalyst to discuss the broader issue of booking performers who call for violence against anyone; we'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, please keep calling The Catalyst (423-1336 or 423-1338) and Gary Tighe (464-1212) to register your concern that The Catalyst values its profits more than it values our safety.

Please pass this call on to whomever you think might be appropriate.

Click here to download a flyer advertising the protest on Sunday (PDF format).

  SIZZLA UPDATE 1: CATALYST REFUSES TO CANCEL

The fabulous Melissa Bernstein, who first brought Sizzla's appearance at The Catalyst to our attention, wrote Catalyst booking agent Gary Tighe a package of informational material on Sizzla and a letter asking for cancellation at The Catalyst for Gary on Monday. She has since made a flyer and is posting it around town.

Nataline Steinberg, a GLBT Alliance steering committee member, spoke with Gary today; his position, at this point, is that The Catalyst has a contract with Sizzla and is legally obligated to proceed with the show. He's also talking free speech rights, which we contend is not at issue here, since we're not saying that Sizzla can't say what he wants to say, but that The Catalyst does not have an obligation to provide a stage for him. We can hope that The Catalyst can understand that it has a responsibility to not bring performers who advocate violence against anyone; we'll send a list of the reggae performers who are known to advocate violence against gay men and lesbians and queer folk in general so that Gary Tighe can know about them in advance.

We have also spoken with Marina Garza, lead singer for Orquesta d'Soul; the band does not have a gig scheduled for September 11, and Marina is willing to talk with Gary about appearing here in lieu of Sizzla; Natalie gave Gary that information.

At this point, we're asking that everyone call The Catalyst at 423-1338 and booking agent Gary Tighe at 464-1212 and tell them that we will be at The Catalyst on the evening of September 11th; if Sizzla is performing inside, we will be demonstrating outside; if a replacement band is playing, we'll be paying to attend the show.

Please let us know that you've called and what response you've gotten; you can email us at info@homosexualagenda.org or call us at 831-515-4101.

We'll keep you posted.

 SIZZLA UPDATE 2: CATALYST STATEMENT/OUR RESPONSE

I would like to thank you for your call and your concerns. Below is the email message that I received from Sizzlas United States agent. Additionally, maybe I can let you know briefly about our past Sizzla show here in Santa Cruz which took place on October 3, 2003.

Sizzla performed at The Catalyst without incident, without preaching hatred of any kind, and without one person calling to complain about his performance at The Catalyst, pre-show and post-show. That show sold out 800 tickets, 4 days in advance.

I would like you to also know that local record stores have been and are still selling Sizzla's albums, in record numbers for the past 7+ years. I do believe that there is an audience that is more than willing to pay for this entertainment.

Although The Catalyst does not agree with Sizzla's views, The Catalyst has a policy of no censorship. Our stage is a space for the expression of free speech by any and all artists. We feel that this show will be incident free as our previous Sizzla show.

We respect ALL opinions and invite anyone to reflect their views with their market decisions, supporting shows at The Catalyst that reflect any ones views and not those that conflict with any ones views.

I do appreciate the fact that you are willing to hear both sides of this issue. I believe that it is key to do so, so that one can formulate their own opinion and not one provided on an email. Below is an email that is from The Agency Group, Sizzlas booking agent. The Agency Group books more than $300,000,000 in talent every year world wide.

Thanks again,

Eddy Dees

Since the "treaty" was set, Sizzla has not released nor performed any material inciting or promoting violence upon anyone. That is the key here and what you should relay to anyone with concerns. They should not worry about a show three years ago, nor about his performance at Sumfest in Jamaica. Sizzla did not speak of violence in any way on that show. He did say he would not apologize and there is nothing saying he must. The whole point is that he can't preach violence on new albums or shows, and he hasn't since the "deal" was made late last year. He is doing outstanding business on this tour and problem free shows in every way. The Agency Group

Eddy Dees
Gary Tighe's assistant (talent buyer)
Catalyst's production/house manager
(831)425-7799 national booking number
(831)464-7272 fax
eddy@catalystclub.com

Our response: During our discussions with the Catalyst we've heard them raise the following points, and feel the need to respond:

Earlier this year, Sizzla's record label and promoters agreed to a code of conduct for the performer which includes not promoting violence, so we shouldn't worry.
The promoters may have agreed, but Sizzla doesn't seem to have felt it necessary to honor that agreement; just last month, he continued his habitually violent homophobia on stage in Jamaica.
• The newest contention seems to be that, since he didn't say anything here the last time he played at the Catalyst, what he's done elsewhere before that and since then doesn't matter, especially since Sizzla's managers have said that the performer won't say anything homophobic from the stage in Santa Cruz. We can all go to his show and enjoy it without worry.
  Whether or not Sizzla goes in for his usual homophobic language in Santa Cruz is irrelevant; it's a large part of his persona, he still performs his anti-queer music, and being on good behavior here doesn't change anything that matters - he's a danger to queers here and everywhere (especially in Jamaica - the prestige he gains from success internationally gives his homophobic statements that much more impact at home). The Sentinel, in fact, quoted Sizzla as saying that nothing is off limits on this tour (as he's told media elsewhere as well).
• According to the agreement signed earlier this year, Sizzla doesn't have to apologize for his homophobia or his calls for violence; in fact, to apologize would cause him to lose face with his fan base in Jamaica.
  Not only has Sizzla not apologized, he has said that it is we should apologize for being queer; the fact that he caters to a homophobic fan base is in no way an excuse - and it is certainly not a comfort to those of us whose murder he espouses.
• Jamaican culture is homophobic, and dance hall reggae performers are simply reflecting that homophobia; to expect them to do otherwise is cultural imperialism.
  We are well aware that Jamaican culture is homophobic; we are also aware that homophobia is increasing in Jamaica, and that dancehall reggae is fueling that increase. Rather than using their positions as role models to young Jamaicans to teach respect for others, dance hall DJs are promoting hatred and violence to the point of murder. To protest bigotry is not cultural imperialism; it is simply part of the worldwide fight for human rights.
• Lyrics should not be taken literally.
  

  Sodomite and batty bwai mi seh a death fi dem
  Mi no trust babylon fi a second yah so
  Mi a go shot batty bwai dem widdi weapon ya
  

  Sodomite and queers, I say death to them
  I dont trust Babylon for a second
  I go and shoot queers with a weapon
  

  The DJs who write and perform lyrics such as these are well aware of the way in which they are being heard; if they truly wish their listeners to hear something else, they have had ample opportunity to say that they do not, in fact, think that queers should be killed; they haven't done that. Sizzla has, in fact, said that he will not back away from his words.

• Sizzla has a right to his opinion, and attempts to have his appearance canceled are simply attempts to deny his freedom of speech.
  Freedom of speech does not include the freedom to incite murder. Also, we're not attempting to stop Sizzla from saying what he wants to say; we're simply asking The Catalyst not to pay him to say it.
• We shouldn't be concerned because Santa Cruz is a safe place for queers.
  Santa Cruz is probably safer than many other places; if it is, it's because a lot of people have worked very hard to make it so, and that means not sitting quietly by when someone like Sizzla comes to town. However, we're also aware that Santa Cruz isn't as safe as most straight folks think it is; we suspect that the young man who was sent to the hospital with a concussion and two broken bones in his face two weeks ago doesn't think that being gay in Santa Cruz is especially safe.
• There's a large audience for such performances in Santa Cruz.
  Unfortunately, that's true; we suspect that the basher who put that young man in the hospital would feel quite comfortable at a Sizzla concert. The fact that there are bigots here isn't news to us; we simply don't think that their entertainment is more important than our safety.
• The Catalyst does not practice censorship.
  Is it wrong to refuse to book performers who advocate violence? We would like, ultimately, The Catalyst and other venues to commit to not booking such acts. Murder should not be considered entertainment.

Please keep contacting The Catalyst; whether or not Sizzla is cancelled, The Catalyst needs to know that the Santa Cruz lgbt community and its allies do not feel safe with a violently homophobic performer who calls for our murder, nor do we appreciate a local venue which has so little respect for us that it would bring that performer here.