American civil liberties group slams gays for trying to prevent shows featuring Jamaican DJ

THE FLORIDA chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has come out in defence of Jamaican artiste Buju Banton who is facing growing opposition from the gay community in Europe and the United States.

According to the Florida chapter of the ACLU, Buju has a right to perform at a Miami concert this week despite protests from gay groups in that city.

In a statement published on October 18, Howard Simon, executive director of the Florida chapter of ACLU, accused the homosexual groups of promoting censorship.

"It is disheartening that some of our colleagues in the gay and lesbian equality movement have embraced censorship as a tactic to combat hate speech," Simon said.

He was responding to gay activists who have called on city officials to ban the Miami concert which is slated to feature Buju Banton and Beenie Man.

"This is terribly short-sighted: Giving government the power to censor messages it thinks are dangerous never advances the cause of equality and freedom," Simon argued.

Buju and Beenie Man are billed as headliners for the October 31 Reggae Bash show.

The event is being promoted by Global Vybz Entertainment, which is run by Jamaican Andrew Minott.

But the homosexual support group, Equality Florida, has called on Global Vybz to drop both acts because some of their songs, 'encourage violence against homosexuals'.

no evidence

The group also wrote to city officials seeking their support while pointing to songs such as Buju's Boom Bye Bye.

But Simon argued that there is no evidence Buju's song is responsible for any hate crimes.

"Banton has sung his song many times, including during a previous appearance in Miami, with no ensuing violence. There is no basis to make the leap from a hateful and offensive pop song to incitement to riot," Simon wrote.

He added: "The Buju Banton song in question is vile and offensive. But despite its hateful message, it is protected speech under the Constitution."

Simon pointed out that the Florida ACLU have defended other controversial acts, such as rap group 2 Live Crew when they were under fire from decency groups who claimed their performances and music were lewd.

howard.campbell@gleanerjm.com