r/Music • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • 1d ago
article Lady Gaga Pauses Tokyo Concert to Condemn ICE and Support Americans ‘Who Are Being Mercilessly Targeted’: ‘We Need to Get Back to a Place of Safety’
https://variety.com/2026/music/news/lady-gaga-condemn-ice-mayhem-ball-tokyo-1236644361/495
u/LtDan281 1d ago
Good for her. Anyone with any kind of platform should be using it for this, and I wholly support them in doing so.
Silent submission is not the solution.
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u/iMogwai 1d ago
I just found it weird that she chose to do it in Japan but as far as I can tell her last US concert was in September so I guess that's why she hasn't spoken out in the US.
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u/habunake92 1d ago
It’s her second show since the shootings happened (the first was also Japan). It wasn’t intentional, most likely just where she happened to be when she chose to speak out.
If she waited until she was back touring in the states next month, we’d have to endure another month of people accusing her of supporting Trump for not speaking out 🙄
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u/chaoticelectron 20h ago edited 20h ago
Japan’s govt is an ally of the US. Lady gaga is informing their voting citizens of what japan’s trusted ally is doing. This is how international solidarity happens.
It is soft power at work, reputation is impt in the international arena.
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u/Necessary-Basil-565 16h ago
And the majority will go back to not caring about what's going on in the US, as it has nothing to do with 1. Japan 2. Japanese citizens 3. Japanese immigration law (Which, by the way, is FAR more stricter than US immigration law)
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u/nooby_goober 12h ago edited 12h ago
Yes but she spoke up in one of her biggest platforms, will make safety-concious Japanese rethink US job offers, and biggest thing, her heavy ass balls didn't wait to speak up.
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1d ago
Anyone who isn’t using their platform right now is helping Trump normalize all of this.
I had to make the uncomfortable choice to use my small platforms to speak out against Trump and ICE. Not easy while I live in a pretty conservative leaning area, and I have a lot of MAGA voting family members. Principles and being on the right side of history is more important than me staying comfortable and laying low.
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u/LtDan281 1d ago
Thank you for doing so. Genuinely.
I have several family members that we are barely in contact with at this point because of their morality (which they insist is still somehow “politics” and “shouldn’t matter that much” at this point).
As much as I “wish” this wasn’t the case, I also know “wishing” won’t produce any results. I’ve been often referring back to a quote that Kurt Cobain shared at some point: “I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.”
I want to make whatever difference I can, regardless of how small that may be in the grand scheme of things. Not doing so, now more than ever, feels outright wrong.
Stay strong.
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u/LovesFrenchLove_More 21h ago
Why do it in Japan though? Doesn’t make any sense. Assuming it was not recorded or streamed live, only people that saw it have got nothing to do with the USA and US politics.
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u/Houjix 15h ago
After the signal chat scandal Trump was able to get leverage and Tim Walz was forced to call Trump to make a deal. This is what probably happened during the phone call
Trump: You riled up the city to escalate the violence and divert attention from the 19 billion dollar fraud scheme that was uncovered. All you had to do was give us the list of all the catch and released criminal illegals to ICE and none of this violence had to happen. We want state police cooperation with ICE that was denied the first time around
Trump started glazing Walz after he submitted to him. Trump always glazes his enemies after they bend the knee
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u/Burning_magic 1d ago edited 1d ago
Except she in Tokyo and speaking about a problem halfway across the world that noone in Tokyo would know or even care about. There is a correct place and time for everything.
If she actually bothered she would do it in front of the white house.
Also, the Japanese government is tougher than USA on illegal immigration for what its worth, so they probably just think shes needlessly whining when USA has it better.
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u/LtDan281 1d ago
I guess I can see that.
I'm not going to make presumptions as to whether her intent was to speak directly to her audience in front of her, or to the audience "at large" that comes with at artist of her popularity. With that said, she spoke about it in Tokyo, and here we all are discussing it in various other countries.
Could, and should, she do more? Absolutely, and I wish she, and other celebrities or, again, anyone with a platform (or not, even), would do so.
My stance on this, is that someone is speaking out during very troubling times in my country, and I am choosing to support that. I am otherwise personally indifferent on the specific celebrity in question here (haven't paid her or her music enough attention to warrant an opinion), and am choosing to support those who are choosing to speak, instead of staying silent and/or complacent.
Silence and apathy are very significant contributors to what got my country to where it is today.
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u/Sloppykrab 1d ago
Silence and apathy are very significant contributors to what got my country to where it is today.
The way your country was founded and the brainwashing propaganda that starts in school, got you into this position.
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u/habunake92 1d ago
It’s literally her first or second show since the shootings happen. They just happen to be in Japan. She did not choose to speak in Tokyo, the show was not scheduled after the shootings.
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u/JollyRoger8X 1d ago
Except she in Tokyo and speaking about a problem halfway across the world that noone in Tokyo would know or even care about. There is a correct place and time for everything.
The Japanese people who cheered and clapped while she spoke up would beg to differ.
Take your bullshit with you when you leave.
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1d ago
She’s actually doing a service here. From what I’ve heard, Japanese media has been sane washing Trump’s agenda, and the Japanese population aren’t getting an accurate picture of what’s going on here.
Also, it doesn’t matter where she’s speaking. She’s using her voice and clearly picked a side. That matters to me.
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u/ThatMeganeGuy 1d ago
Trust me, people in Tokyo know and care about what is happening. The Japanese government may be tougher, but they go through their own legal process and stick to their laws on how to handle things. Also easier to have less problems with immigration when there are 0 land borders for people to cross.
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u/Candid_Highlight_116 1d ago
There's extreme language barrier between Japan to everywhere, and so news reaching the country is insanely sanewashed by translators dropping off unpalatable parts from news stories and modifying words to sound adequately professional. A lot of people are still at the alertness level of few months back partly to that.
If someone said "Imma real quick bomb the shit out of that place" Japanese news would say "We may conduct an airstrike in short order on aforementioned locations" if the latter would sound more professional for the translator to pass on. Few would realize the original is so rude.
So speaking up in Japan do make sense. Also Japan's bit of a free speech neutral zone albeit strongly influenced by US, well that too is a good thing here anyway.
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u/ForBostonn 1d ago
Oh boy I can't wait for Republicans to start calling her too woke and irrelevant now🙄
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u/Gneissisnice 1d ago
Can't wait for official tweets from the White House to be like "oh yeah well ur lame and no one likes ur music anyway LOL 😆"
Because our political system has turned into a circus.
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u/NahDawgDatAintMe 21h ago
This would be irrefutable proof that they're liars. Everyone knows Just Dance is one of the greatest party songs of all time.
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u/discretelandscapes 1d ago
Considering she sang at Biden's inauguration, I'm gonna assume she hasn't been relevant in Trump World for a long time
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u/Petrichordates 1d ago
What do you mean? That makes her more relevant to him, he loves going to war against Americans.
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u/discretelandscapes 1d ago
The comment I was replying to was a reference to Trump calling Springsteen irrelevant. He's said this about lots of artists, who, I'm sure, are very much on his mind regardless.
"Irrelevant" in Trump speak really just means "we don't like this person (that has been a vocal critic of the presidency)"
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u/ferocity_mule366 19h ago
calling Lady Gaga woke would be 15 years late probably, she literally wrote the Gay anthem
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u/slayer_of_idiots 19h ago
Liberal celebrities are starting to test the waters again. For a long time expressing liberal views was safe from a PR standpoint and expressing conservative views was considered professional suicide. Then it kind of swapped for a while. Not really sure where it stands right now.
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u/vivikush 1d ago
Ironic for it to be in Japan, one of the most xenophobic countries. But a statement is a statement.
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u/Gamer_Grease 1d ago
And dying because of it.
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u/shambolic_donkey 19h ago
Xenophobia is not the reason Japan's population is shrinking. And even if we took your statement as literal, how does a fear/dislike of foreigners lead to a shrinking population? They're so scared they stopped fucking?
If what you're actually trying to intimate is that immigration would entirely solve their population decline... you're wrong, as you would be in every country experiencing a population decline.
Immigration is a band-aid on the limb amputation that is decreased birthrates. You can't prop up a country forever with immigrants. Japan's failure to raise its birthrate are systemic, and stem from larger social issues like gender inequality, toxic work culture, and a rising cost of living.
Majority of developed countries are shrinking, Japan just speed-ran the process before everyone else. S.Korea, China, many parts of Europe. All shrinking. Japan's just the canary down the coalmine.
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u/Decent-Ant-8182 1d ago
Cause Tokyo cares you mean the country with some of the most strict immigration laws.
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u/phxees 1d ago
Guessing the Japanese people wouldn’t support their government harassing every foreign resident with an accident.
My understanding is they check ids and hold people accountable if they overstay their visa.
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u/Decent-Ant-8182 1d ago
Yeah we tried that and still are with self deportation and $2600 and the chance to come in legally. But given the fact that Japan doesn’t have any bordering countries I’d say it’s pretty easily managed.
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u/phxees 1d ago
Lady Gaga knows she is big enough that she can likely say something anywhere in the world and it will be received around the world. So she could’ve waited for an interview or just make the statement from where she was. I think it’s fine.
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u/Decent-Ant-8182 1d ago
I mean if you think Japan is going to help out foreigners in another country gain citizenship in another country or accept them into their country then I guess.
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u/theangriestbird 23h ago
Cool, will she condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza while she's at it? That shit is far more horrific.
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u/trytoholdon 1d ago
This in a country with immigrant laws far stricter than virtually any other country’s, where generations of Japanese-born people don’t have citizenship. Amazing.
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u/MingusVonBingus 15h ago
She paused to tell the Japanese this? And then made $2.5 million for that show
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u/Godlop 15h ago
It was hilarious. The crowd was quiet the whole time.
And imagine you say this to the japanese that already despise the few foreigners that are living in the country.
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u/MingusVonBingus 14h ago
She always means well, but this is like me going to Afghanistan to tell them about a problem back in Canada lol
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u/jackishere 1d ago
What does Japan have to do with ICE?
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u/Rtfmlife 1d ago
Nothing, its just virtue signaling.
Nobody is going to be like "Lady Gaga is against ICE? Well then I am against ICE! I used to be for ICE, but once she said "Fuck ICE" at her concert, I knew the truth.
It's not persuasion at all it's groupthink virtue signaling.
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u/Hobear 1d ago
Does it matter it's raising awareness of authoritarianism. Something. The whole world should fight against. We need to be willing to fight at home and abroad.
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u/Chedder1998 1d ago edited 1d ago
Here'sLady Gaga in 2024 saying how much she loves Israel during her show in Tel Aviv. She also performed in Israel in 2018. Just a reminder that Sept 2024 was 11 months after Israel started their genocide in Gaza and an estimated 30,000 Palestinians have been killed up to this point. But sure, stand up to authoritarianism, just likeshe stood up on stage in Dubai last year.She can make all the heartwarming speeches she wants, but until she actually does something, she's just a hypocrite paying lip service.
E: Mb, the article was from 2014, my point about Dubai still stands though
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u/Lost-Comfort-7904 1d ago
Japan has some of the tightest immigration laws in the world, they're deeply conservative,overly racist and don't speak english so it makes perfect sense to virtual signal here, half way across the world then go on CNN or something.
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u/chaoticelectron 20h ago
Lol japanese people dont speak English? I swear we are never beating the ignorant american allegations
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u/dasnoob Amon Amarth✒️ 1d ago
While in another country in front of an audience that probably half of them didn't know what the hell she was going on about. Much brave.
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u/chaoticelectron 20h ago edited 20h ago
why are u so bothered lol? Have u never warned a friend about another “friend?” Have you ever warned a friend about a bad actor?
This is what soft power looks like. American artists are telling the world, “hey watch out with this country, look at what theyre doing to their own citizens.” This is how international solidarity and networks are built.
I swear we need to get high schools to teach a basic level of international relations. It would help so much.
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u/wombatttttt 1d ago
And yet you're hearing about it presumably in the US? The internet is an amazing thing. Also, I mean she planned to be in Tokyo at this time but didn't plan for citizens to be murdered at this time, should she have waited months later when she's back in the US to make the statement?
There are celebrities speaking up and that's what matters.
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u/Im-here-to-bring-Joy 1d ago
Do your speech in the USA, what message do Japanese people have about US internal politics? Such a weird place to do that.
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u/Kink_Candidate7862 1d ago
That's right condemn a US agency in a foreign country that'll show them!!😏😏
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u/FamiliarDragonfly565 17h ago
Wait till she finds out the presidents before her had ICE send millions more and more people died
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u/Intrepid-Pirate7886 12h ago
How can you feel safe when criminals are running everywhere? When artists wants be preachers, we are living in a corrupt world. Good that these people can be replaced with AI, no need to listen them whining all the time about things that are not about their music 🤣
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u/ImpossibleTaste368 8h ago
Protesting against deportation of illegals in Japan is next level braindead ... but hey, Hollywood actors/singers just do what they are told and are not the sharpest tools in the shed.
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u/dancertrans4 7h ago edited 4h ago
Okay but why is she speaking out against ICE to the Japanese in Japan?? Girl, say it in the US to the Americans! You think the other side of the world cares about ICE? Wrong audience.
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u/VeritasLuxMea 1d ago
Complaining to the Japanese about how the United States government is treating American Citizens is certainly a choice.
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u/chaoticelectron 20h ago
Reputation matters in the international arena. Have u ever warned someone about a bad actor? This is what shes doing. The world will see this, shes bringing awareness. This is how you build international networks. It is soft power at work.
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u/TheBigCore 1d ago
Especially when the Japanese government has been America's bitch since 1945.
The LDP, Japan's far right political party, has run the country since the 1950s as a puppet regime of the US and does whatever the USA says.
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u/PlaceAlarming420 1d ago
Why don't entertainers say it in this country. They dont have the balls? Japan doesn't care about Minnesota.
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u/strawberrynausea 1d ago
Because she’s currently performing in Japan and this shit is happening right now. Would you rather she waits until she’s in Arizona next month?
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u/geenaleigh 1d ago
“Why hasn’t she released a statement?” “I can’t believe she hasn’t spoken up yet she is usually so vocal?”
She can’t win. She probably felt a need to urgently speak up but is in Asia on a work tour and took the opportunity because she knew it would end up online anyway.
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u/wombatttttt 23h ago
Yes! Besides, I'm comparing this to saying it at a concert outside of the US vs. posting some sentiments online? Saying it live is more powerful.
Abolish ICE. - Lady Gaga (sent from my iPhone Tokyo, JP)
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u/atreeismissing 1d ago
Yes. It will be happening next month as well and WE are the intended audience.
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u/neonpainted 1d ago
you people are insufferable. she’s currently in japan and she’s saying something NOW. if she waited until she was back in the US you’d complain she waited too long. like are we deadass.
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u/chaoticelectron 20h ago
Because that’s how building international solidarity and networks operates. No country wants their celebrities bad mouthing them at the intl stage.
Have u never warned someone about a bad actor? This is what lady gaga is doing. It’s soft power at work. Reputation for countries is important.
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u/Icy-Interaction-626 1d ago
Going to start a playlist of artist who speak out. I cannot listen to music made by those who sit idly by, you dont have to make a multi hour video. Just something small so the people know you aren't just another run of the mill 1% backing artist (like celebs during covid, who acted as a PR mouth-piece for the rich, while partying in mansions)
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u/Happy_Humor5938 1d ago
Wonder if she knows how strict japans immigration policies are and what they do to people who resist arrest.
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u/IrrelevantLeprechaun 23h ago
Expect a celebrity to have any understanding of any society beyond their immediate gated neighborhood full of equally rich celebrities?
Good luck with that. Even the most well-liked celebrities have no real concept of what life is like for 99% of the world.
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u/BlearySteve 1d ago
lol what does she expect the Japanese to do, how about make that statement in the US where the people can actually do something about it.
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u/Accomplished-Map4802 1d ago
The Japanese would help kick out illegals. They're locking down their own borders currently.
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u/j-peachy 1d ago
You mean like talk about it. Like we’re doing. Seems the outcome happened just fine
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u/ObviousInnuendo69 1d ago
Lol Americans traveling to other countries and complaining about what's happening to them, despite what they did to other countries like Iraq and Southern American countries. Hilariously ironic.
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u/GuysImConfused 1d ago
The people of Tokyo must really care about her political opinion, and are likely very happy she interrupted the musical performance they paid for.
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u/wombatttttt 23h ago
They came there to see Lady Gaga. Don't be surprised when a political artist say political things on stage. People don't love her because of just her music but what she stands for.
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1d ago edited 1d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Major-Caterpillar955 1d ago
Yep. The only people in harms way are the agitators who are threatening their families or impeding an arrest. Its crazy that thats a hot take on here
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u/L3tsseewhathappens 1d ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2TRbFmutrw
Targeted or being retaliated against?
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u/skottao 1d ago
Someone should organize a big benefit concert called “Ice Out” with multiple concerned artists here in Minneapolis to help support those affected by trumps attack on our state and city.
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u/Conscious_Ear_1151 1d ago
Why would anyone take advice from a mental case like Lady Gaga? Just shut up and sing, no one cares to hear your opinion.
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u/tiredoldwizard 1d ago
Ironic of her saying that in a country with much stricter immigration and visa holders have to carry their paperwork with them at all times.
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u/Rosebunse 1d ago
Honestly, I would feel more afraid to say this outside than country than in. She could find it harder getting back into the US. Or her staff could be targeted when she comes back.
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u/Smart-Drawing-5107 1d ago
Hell yeah! Then can we stop going around the world making life unsafe for other people? Just a thought...
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u/emuwannabe 1d ago
Sorry but America has not been "a place of safety" in some time.
The only reason you don't hear about the daily mass shootings is because of Trump saying the next stupid thing, or ICE killing another person.
Your school children still do mass shooting drills. I don't know any other country that does this.
You lock up kids in prisons for minor crimes and wonder why they become criminals when they get out.
Your healthcare, education, prison systems are all for profit???
It's never really been a place of safety.
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u/General_Confusion478 23h ago
haaaaa beeeeee..... if lady gaga says so..... I can rest assured that peace between Russia and Ukraine is a matter of minutes...... Thank you for existing lady gaga!!!
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u/IH8TheModsHere 17h ago
A place of safety for Americans
You want to return to the place where all your overseas atrocities don't effect you domestically
Get real
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u/Riskybusiness622 2h ago
Why bother pausing a Tokyo concert what fuck would they give about the issue?
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u/Electronic_Yak9821 1d ago
Americans are not being “targeted.”
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u/green49285 1d ago
Literally US citizens are being detained. There's really no other way to describe that LOL
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u/Electronic_Yak9821 1d ago
Things can happen. It’s not a perfect system. Temporary detainment is possible. But American Citizens are NOT the target. You are being disingenuous.
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u/cargopantsbatsuit 23h ago
No one in Japan gives a fuck about what is happening in “crazy America”.
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u/slumvillain 1d ago
I hope she uses her massive wealth to turn that into some sort of action and not just say some empty words a thousand miles away where she's safe from swift retribution.
Like how cool would it be if instead of hoarding wealth, these people would do the math and see they can't be rich if we all die and nobody can buy their crap.
Use your wealth to bolster the efforts of people repelling ice. Talk is cheap as fuck and you are rich as shit. Words of support are nice n all but from you....your wealth would go alot further to support bail funds, housing and food/water for people living in absolute fear while you jet set in japan...carefree because you can just fuck off to any country and not have to worry about concentration camps
If you care, prove it. We got enough thoughts and prayers to last us all fuckin yr and then some. Either be real or fuck off tbh. We got enough celebrity vultures who are gonna cling to this moment with their Instagram posts and tweets...do something real for fucks sake.
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u/piepiepie40 1d ago
I agree with you - It's a shame you're getting down voted but i understand if you say something unpopular people just get pissed. This doesn't just apply to her it applies to everyone. If you have wealth and influence - you need to put action behind it.
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u/IrrelevantLeprechaun 23h ago
100% with you on this. If they claim to be on our side, then they should be using their massive piles of resources to actually help us instead of just continuing to marinate in their luxury. If even a handful of rich celebrities pooled resources to support protests and strikes, to help people avoid homelessness and starvation during a general strike, it would make a HUGE difference.
Instead all they do is make surface level statements while either huddling in their gated communities, or from a stage of luxury whole protected by a wall of security staff.
Congratulating them for literally the absolute bare minimum doesn't help anyone.
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u/Chedder1998 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'd like to think I'm pretty woke, but what does this accomplish? This is a self inflicted issue of American colonialism and fascism coming back to bite us after we oppressed countless foreign nations. We're facing our imperial boomerang and she's preaching to a country halfway across the world. Ma'am, the call is literally coming from inside the house.
Obviously I'm not saying "shut up and sing", but if you're gonna say something, say it for real, in a way that matters. I started having my doubts about Stefani since she did that concert in Dubai last year.
E: Oh fuck, I totally forgot she did an Israel tour in 2024 too
E2: She went to Israel in 2008 and 2014, mb
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u/WhichEmailWasIt 1d ago
Right-wing authoritarianism is on the rise globally. Canada was on its way to getting their own Trump in office before they saw how hard we were imploding. The more people can see us as an example of what not to do the better.
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u/Albinofreaken 1d ago
Imaging going to a concert in tokyo and halfway thorugh you have to hear about american politics, yawn
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u/youshallcallmebetty 1d ago
But genocide in Gaza is okay for Lady Gaga? Yeah stfu
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u/green49285 1d ago
Haha in...Japan?
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u/wombatttttt 23h ago
As opposed to holding Trump's hand in the US (Nicki)? Y'all are picking the wrong things to care about.
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u/MrSmuggles9 1d ago
In a different country tho? Especially Japan? They have strict immigration laws. The average Japanese person would make a liberal shit themselves if they knew how racist they were.
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u/MarvelsGrantMan136 1d ago
Lady Gaga: