Snoop Dogg granted Australian visa to perform at Big Day Out

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/15/snoop-dogg-granted-visa-big-day-out

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Snoop Dogg will be allowed to perform at this year's Big Day Out despite moves to have his visa revoked.

The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, had been called on to revoke the controversial US rapper's visa in a petition organised by the grassroots movement Collective Shout, which said Snoop Dogg’s lyrics glorified violence against women.

The petition has 2500 signatures.

On Wednesday, Morrison confirmed the government had given the rapper the go-ahead to perform at the annual music festival, which kicks off on the Gold Coast on 19 January.

"Snoop Dogg has a visa," Morrison told reporters in Canberra.

The news will not be welcomed by Collective Shout, which has written a letter to the minister arguing the rapper should be barred.

"Snoop Dogg's lyrics glorify violence against women which puts all women in danger. His behaviour also contradicts our national plan to reduce violence against women," the letter reads.

"If you really care about women and girls, you will revoke his visa and deny him entry."

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