Students Petition Kanye West to Speak Against Immigration Bill

Hundreds want the artist to meet with Alabama leaders.

Posted: 10/26/2011 12:35 AM EDT
Filed Under Kanye West

Nearly 1,000 students have signed a petition asking Kanye West to meet with Alabama leaders and speak against the state's new immigration law. West is currently in Birmingham preparing for his Watch the Throne tour with Jay-Z.


The campaign, which currently has 908 signatures, was started by a student and Kanye West fan at the University of Alabama Birmingham.


“Like thousands of Kanye fans, I grew up listening to Hip-Hop, and it was one of the things that shaped my consciousness about race and justice,” says William Anderson, who launched the petition on Change.org. “Alabama’s new immigration law is an attack on the state’s citizens, documented and undocumented. In the spirit of the social justice and hip hop, I hope that Kanye listens to his fans and takes a few minutes to learn and educate others about the crisis that is happening in Alabama.”


The bill, HB 56, was modeled after Arizona's controversial law and has been deemed by many as discriminatory and the harshest anti-immigration policy in the country.


The petitioners hope West takes notice of their request and meets with civil rights leaders and local politicians before he leaves the city on October 28.

Related Topics

Comments

African-Americans on Forbes Most Powerful Women List 2013

See where Michelle Obama, Oprah and others rank. 05/23/2013

The 411 on Seasonal Allergies

What you need to know about allergies. 05/22/2013

How You Can Help the Victims in Oklahoma

The Red Cross, Salvation Army and more ways to give. 05/21/2013

Out and About: Jaden Smith Goes to Dinner in London

Plus pics of Rita Ora, Janet Jackson, MJB and more. 05/24/2013

The Rundown: French Montana, Excuse My French

A track-by-track review of the Bronx rapper's debut LP. 05/20/2013

Bump Watch: Celebrity Pregnancy Denials

Bey, Brandy and other stars plagued by baby rumors. 05/21/2013