Massive Attack cancel Georgia show “in protest to the government’s attack on basic human rights”

Trip-hop group Massive Attack have cancelled one of their upcoming shows in Georgia “in protest of the Georgian government's attack on basic human rights.”

The english band posted a message on social media to announce the cancellation of the show.

“At this moment, performing at the state-owned Black Sea Arena could be seen as an endorsement of their violent crackdown against peaceful protests and civil society,” they said.

“Beatings, arrests, threats, and violence against peaceful protesters, activists, and opponents, along with laws smearing civil society and denying LGBTI rights, go against everything we stand for.”

Georgia. #ProtectTheProtest pic.twitter.com/PEdqNdrnH2

— Massive Attack (@MassiveAttackUK) June 12, 2024

The announcement comes as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Georgia recently, protesting a parliament-approved law regulating the media and NGOs.

The “foreign agents” bill “requires media and NGOs to register as ‘pursuing the interests of a foreign power’ if they receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad.”

The decision to pass the bill was made despite widespread unrest in Georgia and warnings from both the EU and the US.

Among the most well-known figures at the protests is David Katsarava, a prominent activist who monitors Russian activities in parts of Georgia occupied by Moscow’s forces since its 2008 invasion of the country.

“We have now the changed reality and we must continue fighting. Georgia has changed, and changed its direction to Russia,” Katsarava said to state-owned news outlet Voice of America.

“We must fight until the end because if we stop, we will be scared and we will stay at home, so that will be a finish for free Georgia. And Georgia will then become Belarus or some branch of Russia,” he said.

The bill has been compared to similar Russian legislation. Protesters have also accused it of being an attempt to stifle criticism of the government by media and non-governmental organisations ahead of elections scheduled in October.

As well as solidarity with the protests in Georgia, Massive Attack have been vocal about their support of people in Gaza.

The English band will be releasing a limited edition 12” single in collaboration with Fontaines D.C. and Young Fathers in support of Doctors Without Borders (MSF). All profits generated by the single will be donated to MSF to help their emergency operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

The single will be released on July 12 and is available to pre-order here.