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20h ago

Comedians Shun U.S. Performances Over Fears of Political Repression

British comedian Stewart Lee and Australian comedian Alice Fraser have canceled U.S. appearances, citing fears of detention for their anti-Trump material under the current administration.

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LONDON - MARCH 27: Comedian Stewart Lee performs on stage on the first night of a series of concerts and events in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust organised by charity Patron Roger Daltrey, at the Royal Albert Hall on March 27, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Stewart Lee, a prominent British comedian, has publicly announced he will not perform in the U.S., fearing his past jokes could lead to detention without due process.
  • Lee revealed he recently declined an offer to perform his new show, 'Stewart Lee Vs. The Man-Wulf,' in Chicago, citing safety concerns and worries about access to his heart medication if detained.
  • Australian comedian Alice Fraser also canceled a planned New York trip, expressing similar fears of being targeted for her critical material about President Trump.
  • Lee characterized the political climate in the U.S. under Trump as fascist, pointing to wrongful deportations and deals with dictators as evidence of authoritarian governance.
  • Right-leaning media outlets, such as Breitbart, have dismissed these fears as unfounded, contrasting them with the U.K.'s enforcement of hate-crime laws against comedians.