Bob Vylan Speaks Out After U.S. Visa Ban: “We Are Being Targeted For Speaking Up”
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 11:36 pm
Bob Vylan lost their U.S. visas and a major tour after chants at Glastonbury Festival drew accusations of hate speech and sparked international backlash.
Bob Vylan stood by their message. On Tuesday (July 1), they released a statement addressing the controversy head-on.
“NOT THE FIRST. NOT THE LAST,” the statement began. “TODAY, A GOOD MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE A PUNK BAND IS THE NUMBER ONE THREAT TO WORLD PEACE. LAST WEEK IT WAS A PALESTINE PRESSURE GROUP, THE WEEK BEFORE THAT IT WAS ANOTHER BAND.”
They continued, “WE ARE NOT FOR THE DEATH OF JEWS, ARABS OR ANY OTHER RACE OR GROUP OF PEOPLE. WE ARE FOR THE DISMANTLING OF A VIOLENT MILITARY MACHINE. A MACHINE WHOSE OWN SOLDIERS WERE TOLD TO USE ‘UNNECESSARY LETHAL FORCE’ AGAINST INNOCENT CIVILIANS WAITING FOR AID. A MACHINE THAT HAS DESTROYED MUCH OF GAZA.”
The duo argued that the attention on them was a distraction from larger issues. “WE, LIKE THOSE IN THE SPOTLIGHT BEFORE US, ARE NOT THE STORY. WE ARE A DISTRACTION FROM THE STORY. AND WHATEVER SANCTIONS WE RECEIVE WILL BE A DISTRACTION.”
They closed the statement with a call to action: “WE ARE BEING TARGETED FOR SPEAKING UP. WE ARE NOT THE FIRST. WE WILL NOT BE THE LAST. AND IF YOU CARE FOR THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH, WE URGE YOU TO SPEAK UP, TOO. FREE PALESTINE.”
Instagram/Bob Vylan
On Instagram, the group’s lead vocalist previously doubled down with a short message: “I said what I said.” Another post read, “Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.”