Internet Reaction to Chris Brown’s Comment on Women For Change Petition: “This Should Be Taken as a Threat”

The online sphere has erupted following remarks made by Chris Brown concerning a petition spearheaded by Women For Change, which calls for a prohibition on the singer’s performance in their nation.

Women For Change is a nonprofit committed to advocating for the constitutional rights of women and children in South Africa. On October 2, 2024, the organization launched a petition aimed at preventing Chris Brown from holding a concert in the country scheduled for December 2024. This initiative was triggered by Brown’s alleged history of violence against women, notably his 2009 arrest for assaulting Rihanna.

The situation escalated when the Virginia-native expressed on Women For Change’s Instagram post about the petition that he was looking forward to visiting.

“Can’t wait to come,”Chris Brown remarked.

In response, social media users have flocked to X to voice their outrage and apprehension regarding the implications of his statement, with some interpreting it as a threat.

“This should be taken as a threat idc,”a user asserted on X.

Numerous individuals on X expressed disbelief at Chris Brown’s comment, indicating he appeared to think he made a significant point. Some users noted that his comment inadvertently highlighted his abusive history.

“Oh that’s not…. He really thought he did something with that comment,”one user commented.

“He’s literally rubbing his abusive past in their faces??????”another user remarked on X.

“The audacity of this man to comment that after what he’s done,”a netizen pointed out.

“This is what happens when you get no real consequences for your actions. He’s way too bold and disrespectful,”another user commented.

Conversely, some users expressed dismay over Chris Brown’s ongoing popularity and questioned how he continues to tour. Others suggested that those who oppose attending his concerts should refrain from doing so.

“How is this man still selling albums and touring,”one user remarked.

“I don’t want to be that guy, but people paid tickets already, so if you don’t want to come, don’t come,”another user stated on X.

“WHY IS HE STILL FAMOUS.. he’s just rubbing it in women’s faces that he can get away with all this shit,”one more person chimed in.

The petition has gained strength among the ongoing dialogue, amassing over 37,000 signatures and support.

“Shocked and deeply disappointed”: Executive director of Women For Change addresses Chris Brown’s concert

In early October, Women For Change established a petition on Change.org urging that Chris Brown be barred from held concerts in South Africa.

The document points out that his concert is set to take place shortly after the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,”which many consider a “direct insult”to the initiative, especially in light of Brown’s alleged prior abuse.

“His concert is scheduled just days after the global commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, making this event a direct insult to the millions of women and girls affected by violence in South Africa and worldwide,”the petition asserts.

Furthermore, the executive director of Women For Change, Sabina Walter, told BBC on October 13, 2024, that she was “shocked”and “disappointed”upon learning about Chris Brown’s upcoming performance in South Africa.

“When I saw the news that Chris Brown was coming to South Africa, I was shocked and deeply disappointed. The petition was started to send a strong message that we will not tolerate the celebration of individuals with a history of violence against women,”Walter stated.

She also emphasized that permitting Brown to perform in South Africa, where gender-based violence (GBV) is a critical issue, could lead to harmful implications for the nation. It would suggest that wealth and fame overshadow accountability.

According to BBC reports, the 35-year-old artist received a sentence in 2009 consisting of five years of probation, community service, and domestic violence counseling for his assault on Rihanna when he was just 19.

This incident remains the most prominent case of abuse involving the singer. Additionally, in 2017, his ex-girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, secured a five-year restraining order against Brown following multiple threats to her safety.

Brown’s concert in South Africa is slated for December 14, 2024, at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

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