Latest news with #RandyFine
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
US revokes visas for British rock duo after 'death to IDF' chants
A British rock band have had their American visas revoked, meaning they can no longer tour in the US, after they shouted 'death to the IDF' at a festival on Saturday. Bob Vylan led the sick chant at Glastonbury, the UK's biggest music festival, as crowds waved Palestine flags and joined the call for the deaths of Israeli soldiers. British police are investigating the rock-punk duo - singer Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, and drummer Bobbie Vylan - over the incident. They were scheduled to support American-Canadian singer Grandson on his tour starting in Spokane, Washington in October, but the US Department of State has intervened to prevent them entering the country. 'The State Department has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants,' US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on Monday. 'Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.' Campaign groups including Stop Antisemitism and a handful of Republican politicians had been calling for their visas to be revoked. 'Bob Vylan called for the death of the IDF yesterday at Glastonbury,' Stop Antisemitism wrote on X before the State Department intervened. 'He's coming to the U.S. this fall as part of the Inertia Tour. This antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded - his hate is not welcome here.' Florida Congressman Randy Fine, a Republican known for his pro-Israel views , responded to the post saying 'on it'. Republican Senator Ted Cruz also shared a video of Bob Vylan leading 'free Palestine' and 'death to the IDF' chants at Glastonbury on X, condemning it as 'sick'. 'Truly sick. Thousands of people screaming 'Death to the IDF.' This is the base of the Democrat Party,' the Texas representative wrote. But Bob Vylan singer, Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, doubled down on his comments, writing on Instagram on Sunday: 'I said what I said'. Robinson-Foster said his phone had been 'buzzing non stop' with 'messages of both support and hatred' in the aftermath of his performance. He added: 'As I lay in bed this morning, my phone buzzing non stop, inundated with messages of both support and hatred, I listen to my daughter typing out loud as she fills out a school survey asking for her feedback on the current state of her school dinners. 'She expressed that she would like healthier meals, more options and dishes inspired by other parts of the world. 'Listening to her voice her opinions on a matter that she cares about and affects her daily, reminds me that we may not be doomed after all. 'Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place. 'As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us. 'Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to do when we want and need change. 'Let them see us marching in the streets, campaigning on ground level, organizing online and shouting about it on any and every stage that we are offered. 'Today it is a change in school dinners, tomorrow it is a change in foreign policy.' Bob Vylan formed in their hometown of Ipswich, England, in 2017 and have since gone on to release five albums including 2020 debut We Live Here. The frontman previously spoke about their struggles to get the first album cleared, describing it as being too 'extreme' for some in the music industry. He told the website Louder: 'It was hard to get it released the conventional way - but it was in our power to release it.' Lyrics on their tracks include saying on Britain Makes Me Violent how there is 'nothing great' about Great Britain, while on Reign the frontman declares: 'Got a message for the thieves in the palace, we want the jewels back.' Touching on the subject of housing in London, their song GYAG states: 'Landlord just raised your rent - mate, get yourself a gun.' As well as tackling subjects such as racism, homophobia, capitalism and toxic masculinity, the duo have also made a big deal about the importance of fatherhood. The singer known as Bobby Vylan has said his daughter gave their debut album We Live Here its name and she also featured on the cover of their single Dream Big. Bob Vylan's entire performance on Saturday afternoon at Glastonbury was live-streamed on the BBC iPlayer but it has since been taken down. Nevertheless, the corporation was lambasted for failing to cut the broadcast immediately after the 'anti-Israel' chanting. The live-stream continued for another 40 minutes until the end of Bob Vylan's performance. Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence from the performances would be assessed by officers to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation. Glastonbury festival organizer Emily Eavis has described Bob Vylan's chants as having 'very much crossed a line'. She said in a statement: 'We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.'
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
US to revoke Bob Vylan's visa after "Death to the IDF" chant at Glastonbury
Published June 30th, 2025 - 07:28 GMT ALBAWABA - British duo Bob Vylan has been the talk of social media amid their rebellious act at Glastonbury Festival, where they chanted "free Palestine" and "death to the IDF," due to the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. The live performance captured by the BBC flooded social media, sparking a wide variety of reactions from pro-Palestine and pro-Israel organizations and individuals. While many pro-Palestine activists praised Bob Vylan for their stance, pro-Israel organization 'StopAntisemitism' urged US authorities to revoke the British duo's visa to prevent them from performing at their upcoming concerts in America. Statement from Leo Terrell on Antisemitic Chants by Bob Vylan: Leo Terrell, Chair of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, strongly condemns the antisemitic chants made by Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival. These abhorrent chants, which included calls for the death of… — Leo Terrell (@LeoTerrellDOJ) June 29, 2025 The post shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) caught the attention of US officials, including civil rights attorney Leo James Terrell and Congressman Randy Fine, who stated that they will do their best to revoke Bob Vylan's entry visa. StopAntisemitism wrote on X, "This antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded - his hate is not welcome here," while tagging Fine and Terrell. Terrel later made a statement which read, "Leo Terrell, Chair of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, strongly condemns the antisemitic chants made by Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival. These abhorrent chants, which included calls for the death of members of the Israeli Defense Forces, are abhorrent and have no place in any civil society." It added, "We understand that Mr. Vylan is planning to travel to the United States as part of the Inertia Tour. In response, Mr. Terrell's Task Force will be reaching out to the U.S. Department of State on Monday to determine what measures are available to address the situation and to prevent the promotion of violent antisemitic rhetoric in the United States." The statement tagged US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and StopAntisemitism. A senior US senator revealed to The Daily Wire that they are "already looking at revocation" of the artists' visa, while referencing Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" policy towards individuals who "support terrorism." © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
US considers canceling British rap duo Bob Vylan's visa after they chanted 'death to the IDF' at Glastonbury
The U.S. State Department is looking into stopping anti-Israel rap duo Bob Vylan from entering America to tour in the wake of their calls for 'Death to the IDF' during their performance at Glastonbury. The two musicians, 34-year-old Pascal Robinson-Foster - aka 'Bobby Vylan' - and the still unidentified drummer who goes by 'Bobbie Vylan' are set to tour America in the fall. However, Marco Rubio 's State Department is looking into canceling that trip by revoking Robinson-Foster's visa. 'As a reminder, under the Trump Administration, the U.S. government will not issue visas to any foreigner who supports terrorists,' a senior State Department official told The Daily Caller. The StopAntisemitism account led the charge to keep the group out of the United States when their tour begins in Spokane, Washington on October 24. 'Bob Vylan (legal name Pascal Robinson-Foster) called for the death of the IDF yesterday at @ glastonbury. He's coming to the U.S. this fall as part of the Inertia Tour. This antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded - his hate is not welcome here.' Republican Congressman Randy Fine responded by saying he was 'working on it.' The group is scheduled to open for anti-Trump New Jersey rapper Grandson on the tour. has reached out to the State Department for comment. The group made worldwide headlines for their primetime spot not only on Glastonbury's West Holts Stage but also on the BBC on Saturday - prompting furious protests over their anti-Israel calls. The English band was streamed live by the BBC while performing directly before Irish language rap trio Kneecap, who the corporation refused to show live after controversial incidents including one of its members being charged with a terror offense. In the act just before Kneecap, singer/guitarist Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan, who founded their band in 2017 in Ipswich, flashed up a large message in support of Palestinians while their set was being broadcast live by the BBC. The message read: 'Free Palestine. United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a "conflict".' They then led the huge crowd in chants of 'Free Free Palestine' and 'Death Death to the IDF'. Afterwards singer Bob Vylan told fans: 'From the river to the sea Palestine must be, will be, free.' Performing on stage earlier, the singer was open about his and his bandmate's support for Palestinians. He said: 'Recently a list was released of people trying to stop our mates Kneecap from performing here today. And who do I see on that f***ing list, but that bald-headed c*** I used to f***ing work for.' Vylan had been speaking about a colleague at a record company he used to work at. His words were met with loud boos from the crowd. He continued: 'So look, we have done it all, from working in bars to working or f***ing Zionists. 'So if we can do this, you can do absolutely anything that you put your mind to I'm telling you this. 'Don't give up on your dreams, and if you've got to go to that s***ty job to pay your bills and pay your rent you do what you've got to do to survive in this world.' Later during a break between songs, the singer said: 'We're seeing some f***ed up things in the world. We're seeing the UK and the US be complicit in war crimes and genocide happening over there to the Palestinian people. 'And I know we're on the BBC, we're not going to say anything crazy. Leave that for them lads, you know what I mean. 'But unfortunately we have seen a strange reaction to people that come out and voice support for Palestine. Even though anybody with any moral compass can surely see that what is happening over there in Gaza is a tragedy. 'We are not pacifist punks here over at Bob Vylan Enterprises. We are the violent punks, because sometimes, you have to get your message across with violence because that is the only language some people speak.' Although met by raucous cheers and applause from the audience, the chant also sparked fury from some online. Bob Vylan's performance can now no longer be rewatched on BBC iPlayer as coverage of the West Holts stage at Glastonbury only goes back to around 5pm. In response, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has demanded an 'urgent explanation' from Tim Davie, the BBC's Director General. A government spokesperson said: 'We strongly condemn the threatening comments made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury. 'The Culture Secretary has spoken to the BBC Director General to seek an urgent explanation about what due diligence it carried out ahead of the Bob Vylan performance, and welcomes the decision not to re-broadcast it on BBC iPlayer.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive. During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.' The Embassy of Israel in the UK said they were 'deeply disturbed' by the 'inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at Glastonbury'. In a statement on X, a spokesperson for the embassy wrote: 'Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy. But when speech crosses into incitement, hatred, and advocacy of ethnic cleansing, it must be called out - especially when amplified by public figures on prominent platforms. 'Chants such as 'Death to the IDF,' and 'From the river to the sea' are slogans that advocate for the dismantling of the State of Israel and implicitly call for the elimination of Jewish self-determination. 'When such messages are delivered before tens of thousands of festivalgoers and met with applause, it raises serious concerns about the normalization of extremist language and the glorification of violence.' The embassy urged Glastonbury Festival organizers, artists, and public leaders in the UK 'to denounce this rhetoric and reject of all forms of hatred'. Meanwhile, Robinson-Foster took to social media early on Sunday morning to address the backlash to his performance. Posing with a tub of pink ice cream, he wrote: 'While zionists are crying on socials, I've just had late night (vegan) ice cream.' It comes as Kneecap has faced calls in recent months to be stripped from the festival line-up, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling their performance 'not appropriate'. The current war in Gaza was triggered by an attack by terrorist organisation Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023 in which some 1,200 people were killed and took more than 251 people hostage. In response Israel launched a full-scale invasion of the Gaza strip which has lasted almost two years and has led to the deaths of at least 56,412 people, many children and civilians. The United Nations has said Israel's actions, which include severely limited vital aid such as food, water and medical supplies into the Gaza Strip and raiding or bombing hospitals as 'consistent with the characteristics of Genocide'. An international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been issued by the International Criminal Court. Israel denies it is committing genocide and claims there is no food shortage for the two million Gazans who live in the strip, something that is widely disputed by aid organisations and international bodies, which have warned thousands of babies are at risk of dying of famine.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
California judge who blocked Trump National Guard order hit with impeachment resolution
FIRST ON FOX: A Republican lawmaker is filing impeachment articles against a judge who temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's control of the National Guard in California during this month's riots in Los Angeles. Rep. Randy Fine, R-La., is filing a resolution to remove U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer from the bench on Friday. He told Fox News Digital that he felt the judge's decision was "political." "The goal is to get judges to do their jobs. If we're not going to try to hold accountable the ones that aren't, then they have no incentive to stop," Fine said. It comes as Republicans continue to push back on Democratic officials trying to block Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration throughout the country. The days-long riots in Los Angeles were spurred by ICE raids in Hispanic and Latino neighborhoods, leading to activists clashing with law enforcement and burning cars as a sign of resistance. Trump, accusing California's progressive officials of not doing enough to stop the situation, bypassed Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom to order the National Guard into Los Angeles to restore order. Critics of the move said it needlessly escalated an already tense situation, and accused Trump and his allies of exaggerating the violence. Breyer issued a temporary order blocking Trump's deployment of federal troops earlier this month, however, in response to a lawsuit brought by California. "At this early stage of the proceedings, the Court must determine whether the President followed the congressionally mandated procedure for his actions. He did not," the court opinion said. "His actions were illegal—both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith." Breyer's ruling was quashed last week when a three-judge panel on the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it was within Trump's authority to federalize the California National Guard. Breyer is just the latest judge to be brought under House GOP scrutiny after several Trump executive actions got held up in court. Trump allies have called for the impeachment of multiple judges, though House GOP leadership has made clear there's little appetite to follow through on such moves – particularly when removal by the Senate is unlikely. Fine acknowledged the long odds but insisted the resolution was a potent messaging tool. "I think it's worth doing. I don't know that we can pass it, I don't know that the Senate would remove him from office, but I think failing to avail ourselves of the remedies that the framers intended was a mistake," Fine said.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Florida lawmaker makes xenophobic comment to Muslim mayoral candidate
A Florida congressman gave a xenophobic analysis of the New York City mayor's race. Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) came out on Friday guns-blazing against Democratic New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. The lawmaker used the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict to compare Mamdani's potential future leadership style to that of Iran 's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his predecessor. Mamdani, a rising star in New York City politics, is Muslim and a pro-Palestinian progressive. The Queens politician is running to be the next NYC mayor against incumbent Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as well as other lesser known candidates like the city's Comptroller Brad Lander and New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. Fine faced backlash on X from those claiming his comments were anti-Muslim. 'You're right, everyone needs to submit to Christianity and accept Jesus Christ as their lord and savior,' one social media user sarcastically quipped. Another sarcastic commenter wrote: 'Agreed. We won't allow any Muslim run any office.' One said that Mamdani is such a flawless candidate that his critics are resorting to 'Islamaphobic retardness.' 'This is bigoted and wholly detached from reality,' wrote an X account on a more serious note. Another user suggested that Fine was in the pocket of the pro-Israel lobby and asked X's Artificial Intelligence Grok to detail contributions made to the Florida lawmaker's campaign from such groups. It revealed that Fine received a combined more than $400,000 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) and NORPAC. The comments from Fine come amid a rise in anti-Semitic sentiment in the U.S. with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists operating as the de facto government in the Palestinian stronghold of Gaza. And now, Israel is also embroiled in exchanging missile attacks with Iran. On June 12, Israel launched its first barrage against Iran targeting nuclear facilities and military infrastructure and leaders to prevent Tehran from gaining nuclear weapon capabilities. President Donald Trump on Thursday gave himself two weeks to decide whether the U.S. would back Israel and also strike against Iran. Republican lawmakers are split over whether the U.S. should back its ally or stay out of the conflict – with some warning of mutually assured nuclear annihilation.
