Freedom of speech, who? These are the times. A group of thirteen New York City Council members is calling out the City Parks Foundation for abruptly scrapping Kehlani’s upcoming SummerStage headlining show—labeling the decision as a veiled form of censorship with dangerous implications.
In a letter issued this week, Council Members Tiffany Cabán and Dr. Nantasha Williams, backed by 11 additional council colleagues, blasted the Foundation for axing Kehlani’s June 26 Pride Week performance and Noname’s Juneteenth appearance. The Council alleges the cancellations weren’t about logistics or safety, but were instead politically charged moves in response to both artists’ outspoken support for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Get this, the serious letter frames the cancellations as an alarming suppression of free expression. The councilmembers warned that such decisions “undermine both free speech and the city’s cultural identity”—and pledged their support if the Foundation reconsiders its stance. So far, however, the City Parks Foundation hasn’t shown any sign of reversing course.
ICYMI, the cancellation came down after the Mayor’s Office reportedly flagged concerns tied to Kehlani’s previous performance being shut down at Cornell University amid backlash over her political statements. According to city officials, security during Pride Month events was another driving factor. One day before the show was pulled, Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro allegedly warned that a negative NYPD risk assessment could jeopardize the Foundation’s permit to use public park space.
Kehlani, who has been unapologetically vocal about her solidarity with Palestine, prominently featured Palestinian flags and the phrase “long live the intifada” in her “Next 2 U” music video. After the Cornell controversy sparked accusations of antisemitism, she responded directly via social media: “I am anti-genocide … anti the bombing of innocent children, men, women — that’s what I’m anti.”
It’s clear, with cultural spaces already under pressure, the councilmembers’ pushback sends a strong message: New York City’s stages should reflect its diversity of voices—not silence them when they get political.