James Taylor Cancels Philippines Concert

James Taylor has cancelled his scheduled Philippines concert in Manilla due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial anti-drug crackdown. “I don’t think of my music as being particularly political but sometimes one is called upon to make a political stand,” Taylor wrote in a statement on his website.More »

By on December 23, 2016

James Taylor has cancelled his scheduled Philippines concert in Manilla due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial anti-drug crackdown. Duterte’s war on drugs has left some 6,000 people dead. “I don’t think of my music as being particularly political but sometimes one is called upon to make a political stand,” Taylor wrote in a statement on his website. “The scourge of addiction is a worldwide problem and does serious harm, not only to the addict but to our society.” “For a sovereign nation to prosecute and punish, under the law, those responsible for the illegal trade in drugs is, of course, understandable, even commendable; but recent reports from the Philippines of summary executions of suspected offenders without trial or judicial process are deeply concerning and unacceptable to anyone who loves the rule of law.” Taylor said his scheduled concerts in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand would not be affected. Copyright(c) 2016 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedLess «