Beyonce makes rare political appearance in Texas for Kamala Harris campaign
Beyonce has made a rare political appearance, as she hugged Kamala Harris at a presidential campaign rally, telling voters: “We need to sing a new song.”
While she did not perform – unlike in 2016 when she sang at a rally for Hillary Clinton in Cleveland – she spoke as Ms Harris warned that her Republican rival for the White House wants women’s rights to be further eroded.
“I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother,” Beyonce told the crowd in Houston, Texas.
“A mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in, a world where we have the freedom to control our bodies, a world where we’re not divided.”
“Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what’s possible with no ceilings, no limitations,” the US singer continued. “We must vote, and we need you.”
Beyonce was joined onstage by her Destiny’s Child bandmate, Kelly Rowland, and introduced Democratic candidate Ms Harris as the “next president of the United States”.
Houston is Beyonce’s hometown, and Ms Harris’s presidential campaign has taken on Beyonce’s song Freedom, a track from her 2016 album Lemonade, as its anthem, first using the music in July.
Beyonce gave permission to vice president Harris to use the song, which samples two John and Alan Lomax recordings that document America’s segregation history.
Beyonce appeared on stage at the event for Kamala Harris. Pic: AP
The rally took place in Texas to highlight the growing medical fallout from the state’s strict abortion ban. Abortion is illegal in almost all cases, with exceptions for if the mother’s life is at risk.
But the ambiguous way the law is written means harmful pregnancies do not explicitly constitute an exception. As a result, the state’s infant death rate has increased, more babies have died of birth defects and maternal mortality has risen.
Ms Harris was joined at the rally by women who have nearly died from pregnancy complications. In some states, doctors face criminal charges if they provide medical care to women in life-threatening situations.
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Beyonce hugged Kamala Harris after welcoming her to the stage. Pic: AP
“For anyone watching from another state, if you think you are protected from Trump abortion bans because you live in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New York, California, or any state where voters or legislators have protected reproductive freedom, please know: No one is protected,” Ms Harris warned.
“Because a Donald Trump national ban will outlaw abortion in every single state.”
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Mr Trump has been inconsistent with his message on abortion and reproductive rights – though he has repeatedly said he would veto a national ban.
He was also in Texas on Friday, where he said he would break records for the number of people deported from the US if he won.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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