Intense Criticism Surges Towards Ticketmaster for Overlooking Demands to Remove Farrakhan's Event from Their Platform
In Chicago, Louis Farrakhan gave the keynote address at the Nation of Islam's Saviours' Day conference. His speech, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), contained antisemitic commentary accusing Jews of controlling world governments, media, and financial institutions, and suggested that the Jews were going to face another Holocaust.
This has led to a wave of criticism towards Ticketmaster, the company that sold tickets for the event. ADL Midwest Regional Director David Goldenberg expressed concern over Farrakhan's rhetoric, urging the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which has a public-private partnership with Wintrust Arena, to speak out against the hate speech.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action Agenda at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, also condemned Farrakhan's comments, stating that his four decades of anti-Semitic remarks have had a negative impact on society. Jewish groups, including the Coalition for a Fair and Open Internet (CCFP), have criticised Ticketmaster for allowing the sale of tickets for Farrakhan's speech.
The CCFP even went as far as to tweet that Ticketmaster enabled Farrakhan's dangerous antisemitic hate. A letter urging Ticketmaster to reconsider was sent by the CCFP and signed by more than 120 entertainment industry leaders, but the company did not respond.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) have spoken out against Ticketmaster's involvement, with the latter criticising the company for profiting off of Farrakhan's abhorrent history of hatred and violent threats of genocide against the Jewish people.
ADL Midwest has been urging the MPEA to condemn Farrakhan's speech since the event took place, believing that the authority has the right to speak out against hate speech that occurs underneath their roof, despite potential contractual obligations. Ticketmaster, however, did not respond to the Journal's requests for comment regarding their involvement in selling tickets for Farrakhan's speech.
Despite most members of Congress remaining silent on the issue, The Washington Free Beacon reported that Senator Blackburn and Representative McMorris Rodgers have spoken out against Ticketmaster's decision. The search results do not provide information about other companies or entertainment industry leaders publicly criticising Ticketmaster following Louis Farrakhan's event with antisemitic comments or any related statements from industry leaders.
However, The Algemeiner reported the criticism from Jewish groups, urging Ticketmaster to reconsider its decision to sell tickets for Farrakhan's speech. Rabbi Cooper also urged people to reject Farrakhan's hate and strengthen relationships for the betterment of all Americans. Farrakhan defended rapper Kanye West as "a very great brother" and "young God," further adding to the controversy surrounding the event.
As the debate continues, Ticketmaster faces criticism for seemingly ignoring requests to deplatform tickets for Louis Farrakhan's February 26 speech, raising questions about the company's stance on hate speech and its responsibility as a ticket vendor.
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