Petition Started To Revoke Snoop Dogg’s Visa To Australia

Snoop Dogg’s shows in Australia may possibly be cancelled after thousands of Australians signed a petition for his visa to be revoked. He is set to fly Down Under for a series of shows, including headline slots at the Big Day Out festival in major cities.

However, his trip might be suspended if the petition against him proves successful.

Sydney resident Talitha Stone, 24, started the petition on Change.org a week before Christmas, asking the office of federal immigration minister Scott Morrison to revoke the rapper’s visa to the country on grounds that he promotes violence against women.

“’Snoop Dogg’ (more recently ‘Snoop Lion’), real name Calvin Broadus, promotes hate speech against women. He is famous for his misogynistic lyrics, referring to women as ‘bit****’ and ‘ho**’ who ‘suck d***’. His songs include ‘Break a bit** ‘till the day I die’ and ‘Can you control yo h**?”’ Stone wrote on her petition.

“We are about to welcome this U.S. rap artist and self-professed pimp to our shores for a national tour beginning January 18,” she continued, adding a passage on the Australian immigration conditions that state anyone whose presence in Australia may incite discord in the Australian community because of their activities and reputation may be denied entry to the country.

“Snoop Dogg’s presence here would contradict the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children. It undermines the Plan’s commitment to the human rights of women and girls and respectful relationships.

“I am asking you to act urgently and join my call to Immigration Minister Scott Morrison to revoke Snoop Dogg’s visa so he cannot promote his women-hating attitudes here.”

The petition has already reached its goal of 2,500 signatures.

According to Stone, she couldn’t understand why Australia is being lenient on the rap superstar when he constantly brags about having ten “bit****” on a bus.

“He’s a popular artist and people look up to him as a role model but he’s promoting and encouraging these things. Why are we so lenient?” she told Fairfax Media.

A counter petition was also started on Charge.org by Harindu Kulatunge from Melbourne, asking Morrison not to revoke the 42-year-old rapper’s visa.

“The revokation (sic) will in fact detract from Australia’s community disallowing this opportunity for community gathering and communal enjoyment,” the petition reads.

A spokesman for Morrison’s office confirmed to Fairfax that Snoop Dogg had been assessed under the same “mandatory health and character requirements” for visa applicants. However, the American was also warned that “any infringements will lead to a visa cancellation.”

Snoop is set to co-headline the travelling festival Big Day Out, which begins on January 19 in the Gold Coast, and ends on February 2 in Perth. He will also be at The Marquee, RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane on January 18, at the Palace Theatre in Melbourne on the 22nd, and at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on the 25th.