THE US GOV SAYS NO TO BOY GEORGE
June 23, 2008
Boy George is devastated that he will not be able to tour the US as planned this summer.
The singer was looking forward to performing for his American fans for the first time in a decade and was especially eager to perform at The City of New York Department of Sanitation’s annual Family Day on August 17th. The concert was planned as a way to thank the DSNY and the workers’ families for the kindness shown to him during his community service with them in 2006. Below is an official statement from his management.
“At the moment, Boy George cannot come to the United States of America because he has been refused permission to enter by the USA Administration. This is not in respect of anything he has done in the past but because he is facing a trial in November in London for something that happened in April last year. George’s lawyers in London have absolutely forbidden us to speak about the facts of that case and all I can say is that George is astounded at the decision and is having lawyers here in the States look at it in the hope that someone will change their mind. George has not been convicted of anything in London and there is a presumption in the Western World of innocence until proven guilty. The proceedings that George faces in London are of course important and serious but George has been given unconditional bail by the Police and Courts in London thereby permitting him to travel anywhere in the World. He is clearly not considered any form of risk in London in that regard and in that respect we are asking the US Authorities to reconsider their position. George has cooperated fully with all investigations and enquiries into the case and has put forward a full and detailed defence. We would love to be able to tell you what that defence is but we say again that we are absolutely forbidden by George’s London lawyers to do so because if it gets its way back to England it could amount to a contempt of Court. George really would love to come to America and repay his American fans loyalty and that is why we are asking the US Authorities to reconsider their decision”.
US State Department Addresses Boy George Visa Denial
The US State Department, which handles all US foreign affairs, had an unusual topic to address at their press briefing yesterday. Inbetween discussion of Iran, Afghanistan and Albania, the conversation turned to Boy George.
Link to US State Department press briefing video:
http://video.state.gov/?fr_story=c7e89adbf6e6c8a04e16a62045b27b3fc4ef1dde