SAG-AFTRA Condemns Antisemitic Statements by Ye

SAG-AFTRA today released the following statement regarding antisemitic statements made by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West:

"SAG-AFTRA abhors and condemns the antisemitic statements being made by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.

"The use of anti-semitic imagery and tropes by high profile individuals on social media and elsewhere is not harmless ranting. It is ignorant, hateful and has real-world consequences. The tired debunked stereotypes peddled by Ye and others only serve to further divide us as a country and debase us as a society.

"Hate speech and the use of hate imagery is often a precursor to violence. The normalization and mainstreaming of antisemitic and racist views has already resulted in a rise in violence against Jewish people and organizations in this country and elsewhere. Such viewpoints and statements are unacceptable by anyone and SAG-AFTRA stands with and supports the Jewish community in fighting against prejudice, hate speech and threats of violence from any source.

"You need only look back less than a century to see evidence of what happens when antisemitic ideas are allowed to proliferate unchecked.

"We say, never again."

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.