Cuban-American hip-hop star Pitbull is voicing his displeasure over an Arizona immigration law many Americans fear incites racial profiling by pulling the plug on a planned concert in the state’s capital.
The “Bojangles” hitmaker has joined a host of celebrities, including fellow Latin rappers Cypress Hill — who are protesting the new bill — which allows police to detain people they believe may be in the country illegally and calls for state residents to carry identification papers with them at all times.
In a message to his 33,000-plus Twitter fans and followers on Friday, Pitbull — whose real name is Armando Perez — explained his decision to sever ties with Arizona: “I am cancelling my concert in Phoenix on May 31… How is the country we enjoy and love bcuz (because) of its human rights, freedom, opportunity and that has been built by immigrants, now start 2 (sic) deny them?? …It is contradicting 2 everything the Usa stands 4 (sic),” he wrote.
Even President Obama is opposed to the Arizona law, which he believes threatens “to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe….”