Latest news with #SafetyConcerns
Telegraph
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
SNP leader suggests Edinburgh Fringe comedy venue was right to cancel Jewish comedians
John Swinney has suggested an Edinburgh Fringe comedy venue was right to cancel a run of shows by Jewish performers because staff had 'safety concerns'. The First Minister said he could not 'dismiss' concerns raised by bar staff working at the venue because of his own security risks as a high profile politician. But he made his comments only minutes after delivering a keynote speech in which he pledged to protect freedom of speech to inaugurate the Edinburgh International Festival. Comedians Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon were due to perform at Whistlebinkies during the month-long Fringe festival but had their gigs dramatically pulled after bar staff at the venue allegedly expressed fears of feeling 'unsafe'. Ms Creeger was set to perform her show Ultimate Jewish Mother, while Mr Simon was due to host a Jew-O-Rama – a showcase of different Jewish comics that has played at the venue for years. The concerns were initially raised after the venue was told it would get extra police supervision amid continued worries over the safety of Jewish acts, it has been claimed. Neither show is political or about the Israel-Hamas war, but were still deemed a security risk. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Fringe's opening weekend, the First Minister said: 'I think the individual venues will make an assessment of their circumstances and the issues around security that might need to be considered. 'I live in an environment where issues of security are considered all the time about my whereabouts so I can't dismiss these issues, where security concerns are raised, but I think that has to be very carefully considered in the steps that are taken about judgements by individual venues.' Asked if another venue should come forward to host the cancelled comics, he said: 'A venue would have to make its judgement about the security situation.' The comments appeared to clash with Mr Swinney's commitment to 'always protect' freedom of speech as part of a speech inaugurating the beginning of the Edinburgh International Festival set to start on Friday. The First Minister warned prominent figures in the arts industry: 'Freedom of expression is under attack both at home and abroad. 'I want to ensure that Scotland, the birth of the Enlightenment, remains a country of robust debate and inquiry. 'I firmly believe that arts and culture must be able to challenge us, to ask tough questions and to force us to look at things from different perspectives.' Days after Whistlebinkies cancelled Mr Simon's show, a separate venue cancelled another run of performances by the comedian, Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way?, for attending a vigil held for victims of the Oct 7 attacks. The Banshee Labyrinth pub said it made the decision because of alleged 'rhetoric and symbology' linked to Israel that they had discovered after scouring Mr Simon's social media pages. The alleged concerns identified by the venue included a series of photos posted by Mr Simon from a vigil 100 days since the attack on southern Israel; a message on his X account saying that it was powerful to 'stand strong against terror'; and a post warning that Oct 7 rape victims were being forgotten. Simon said the only opinion he had expressed on the Gaza conflict was a desire for peace and to see the hostages freed. The pub told The Telegraph: 'If we hadn't found anything of concern he would obviously still be performing with us.' Mr Swinney said pro-Israeli performers should have their rights to perform protected, saying: 'I think what I feel is that our society is healthier where we have an expression of our views respectfully and courteously, so all of us are able to do so on all subjects – in particular on the issues of the greatest sensitivity in our society.'
Telegraph
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Jewish comedy gigs at Fringe cancelled ‘over safety concerns'
Jewish comedians have had their Edinburgh Fringe shows cancelled over staff 'safety concerns', it has been claimed. Stand-ups Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon had been booked to perform at the Whistlebinkies venue during the festival. Ms Creeger was set to perform her show Ultimate Jewish Mother, while Mr Simon was due to host a Jew-O-Rama of Jewish comedic talents. However, the acts claimed they were informed that their gigs would be cancelled after bar staff at the venue expressed fears of feeling 'unsafe'. It is claimed the fears were raised after an announcement that the venue would receive extra police supervision amid continued concerns over the safety of Jewish acts. Ms Creeger, who regularly features on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live, said: 'Sadly, this is part of an ongoing problem faced by Jewish performers in this country. We are being cancelled and often silently boycotted.'
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
The true feelings of Canadians towards America and Trump
More than 50 percent of Canadians no longer feel safe or welcome traveling to the United States amid heightened tensions between the two nations. The shocking revelation comes on the back of President Donald Trump's repeated attempts to pressure Canada and the nation's leaders into becoming the 51st state of America. He has also imposed significant tariffs on America's northern neighbors, arguing that the United States needs 'nothing' from Canada to justify his trade war. The survey of 1,626 people conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies found 52 percent of participants agreed with the statement: 'It is no longer safe for all Canadians travelling to the United States.' Broken down into age brackets, 59 percent of respondents aged above 55 agreed, and 47 percent aged between 18 and 54. Additionally, 54 percent of total participants agreed with a statement that they don't feel welcome in the United States anymore. A whopping 60 percent in the above 55 age bracket agreed with that sentiment. Meanwhile, just 27 percent said they disagreed with the statement, with 19 percent unsure. CEO and President of the Association for Canadian Studies Jack Jedwab warned the National Post this could have serious ramifications on the US tourism sector and relations between the neighboring nations. 'If Canadians have serious concerns about this, it has ramifications for our ongoing travel and interaction with Americans and with the United States,' he said. 'It's something that needs to be addressed and it's something that Mr. Carney needs to help Mr. Trump understand. 'There are economic ramifications arising from Canadians not feeling secure when travelling to the United States and not feeling welcome in the country that we generally see as the home of our main allies.' But the biggest shock of the poll found that significantly more participants did not know how to respond to a question about Trump's recent comments that the border between Canada and America is no more than an 'artificially drawn line.' Some 53 per cent of respondents voted they either agreed with the statement (23 percent) or were unsure how they felt (30 percent). For respondents between 18 and 24, 39 per cent said 'I don't know.' Jedwarb warned the results indicated young Canadians in particular might be 'more vulnerable' to that messaging from Trump. 'The most surprising part was that younger people were less sure about (the line/boundary being artificial), so they may be sort of more vulnerable to that type of rhetoric,' he said. During the recent election, Canadians came out strongly to vote for Liberal candidate Mark Carney (pictured), banishing 'Canada's Trump' Pierre Poilievre in what was largely seen as a referendum on Trump north of the border. A poll conducted by determined the majority of Canadian voters were going to the ballot boxes with the consideration of who would be best suited to stand up to Trump. Carney assured Canadians he would 'win this trade war with America' and continue to build a relationship with Trump despite 'a crisis that we did not create.' 'As I've been warning for months, America wants our land, our water, our resources, our country... never,' he said. Carney said these were not 'idle threats,' adding: 'President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us.' 'That will never, ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed,' he said to applause. He met with Trump in the Oval Office earlier this week, where the President doubled down on his '51st state' plans. The explosive meeting was intended to foster better relations between the two nations as they seek to come to an agreement over the imposition of massive tariffs. Trump said if the two nations joined together it would be a 'wonderful marriage.' He added: 'But it takes two to tango, right?' Carney told the former real estate developer flatly: 'There are some places that are never for sale,' mentioning the White House and Buckingham Palace. Trump refused to give up hope, jovially adding: 'I say ''never say never''.' He went on to hail the meeting a success, later telling reporters: 'We had a very great meeting. No tension, we want to do what's right for our respective peoples.'
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
How Canadians really feel about America - and Trump - revealed in new poll
More than 50 percent of Canadians no longer feel safe or welcome traveling to the United States amid heightened tensions between the two nations. The shocking revelation comes on the back of President Donald Trump 's repeated attempts to pressure Canada and the nation's leaders into becoming the 51st state of America. He has also imposed significant tariffs on America's northern neighbors, arguing that the United States needs 'nothing' from Canada to justify his trade war. The survey of 1,626 people conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies found 52 percent of participants agreed with the statement: 'It is no longer safe for all Canadians travelling to the United States.' Broken down into age brackets, 59 percent of respondents aged above 55 agreed, and 47 percent aged between 18 and 54. Additionally, 54 percent of total participants agreed with a statement that they don't feel welcome in the United States anymore. A whopping 60 percent in the above 55 age bracket agreed with that sentiment. Meanwhile, just 27 percent said they disagreed with the statement, with 19 percent unsure. CEO and President of the Association for Canadian Studies Jack Jedwab warned the National Post this could have serious ramifications on the US tourism sector and relations between the neighboring nations. 'If Canadians have serious concerns about this, it has ramifications for our ongoing travel and interaction with Americans and with the United States,' he said. 'It's something that needs to be addressed and it's something that Mr. Carney needs to help Mr. Trump understand. 'There are economic ramifications arising from Canadians not feeling secure when travelling to the United States and not feeling welcome in the country that we generally see as the home of our main allies.' But the biggest shock of the poll found that significantly more participants did not know how to respond to a question about Trump's recent comments that the border between Canada and America is no more than an 'artificially drawn line.' Some 53 per cent of respondents voted they either agreed with the statement (23 percent) or were unsure how they felt (30 percent). For respondents between 18 and 24, 39 per cent said 'I don't know.' Jedwarb warned the results indicated young Canadians in particular might be 'more vulnerable' to that messaging from Trump. 'The most surprising part was that younger people were less sure about (the line/boundary being artificial), so they may be sort of more vulnerable to that type of rhetoric,' he said. During the recent election, Canadians came out strongly to vote for Liberal candidate Mark Carney, banishing 'Canada's Trump' Pierre Poilievre in what was largely seen as a referendum on Trump north of the border. A poll conducted by determined the majority of Canadian voters were going to the ballot boxes with the consideration of who would be best suited to stand up to Trump. Carney assured Canadians he would 'win this trade war with America' and continue to build a relationship with Trump despite 'a crisis that we did not create. 'As I've been warning for months, America wants our land, our water, our resources, our country... never,' he said. Carney said these were not 'idle threats,' adding: 'President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us.' 'That will never, ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed,' he said to applause. He met with Trump in the Oval Office earlier this week, where the President doubled down on his '51st state' plans. The explosive meeting was intended to foster better relations between the two nations as they seek to come to an agreement over the imposition of massive tariffs. Trump said if the two nations joined together it would be a 'wonderful marriage.' He added: 'But it takes two to tango, right?' Carney told the former real estate developer flatly: 'There are some places that are never for sale,' mentioning the White House and Buckingham Palace. Trump refused to give up hope, jovially adding: 'I say ''never say never''.' He went on to hail the meeting a success, later telling reporters: 'We had a very great meeting. No tension, we want to do what's right for our respective peoples.'
