I am very sorry to have to cancel my forthcoming tour in the United States. I have decided to cancel further to what I consider to be completely unreasonable demands from the US Embassy in France in order to renew my working visa.In order to obtain this new visa, the rules have once again changed since November 2004 and I would now have to not only fill in an exceedingly probing application form, but also be interviewed by a member of the Embassy staff, and provide proof of ownership of my house, details of my bank account, my mobile phone records, personal information on all my family members and more. I consider these demands to be a complete violation of my privacy and my civil liberties and I refuse to comply.
I am horrified by these new regulations and feel really sad that this is what some call freedom and democracy.
It has now become almost impossible for an artist to come and perform in the United States. And until this new legislation changes I will unfortunately refuse to comply with this nonsense.
Thank you for your understanding.
Laurent Garnier
Well sure, Laurent is French, but still...
h/t Boing Boing.
Posted by Walter at February 2, 2005 02:59 PMI wonder how far the tourism income has fallen in USA since they got frightened? A quick look at annual figures suggests about a 1/3 drop.
Also since USAnians gor frightened: Jet airliners used to be USA's best foreign earner in a good year. Now Old Europe is taking orders & boing boing is gone gone
Giordani
Gio - I think the USA was more than frightened - wouldn't ya say? 5,000+ dead people in september 2001.
Given travel to Europe is going so well and presumably France got it's fair share, maybe Laurent Garnier should stay there and not tour the USA anyway.
Posted by: Peter Hoskins at February 4, 2005 11:58 PM