The Glastonbury Festival is coming up and we all know what that means – 90,000 people descending on the Somerset countryside for music, art and mud! While the festival has always been a bastion of free speech, this year things have taken a turn for the worse.
The Glastonbury Festival was scheduled to have a performance by Olivia Rodrigo, who is a singer/songwriter known for her pro-choice views. However, just days before the show was set to take place, Rodrigo’s management received a letter from the organiser of the festival informing them that her performance had been cancelled due to “safety concerns”.
This isn’t the first time that the Glastonbury Festival has been in hot water for its stance on abortion. In 2017, the festival cancelled performances by Dua Lipa and Haim after it was discovered that both artists were supportive of abortion rights. This year’s cancellation of Rodrigo’s performance only serves to underscore how important it is for artists – no matter what their beliefs – to be allowed to perform at this important cultural event.
Julio Conde, Olivia Rodrigo and the battle over abortion rights
Glastonbury Festival: Olivia Rodrigo about abortion ruling: We hate you!
Abortion rights are a highly debated topic in the United States. There are many people who believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while others believe that it should only be allowed in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. One woman who is firmly on the side of abortion rights is Olivia Rodrigo, who spoke about her experience with abortion and why she believes it’s a fundamental human right in an interview with The Guardian.
Rodrigo was born in Portugal, which has one of the most liberal abortion laws in Europe. In 2013, she became pregnant after having sex without using contraception. She was 20 years old at the time and faced a choice: have the baby or have an abortion. Rodrigo decided to have an abortion and it went smoothly. However, three years later she got pregnant again and faced the same dilemma. This time, though, she decided to keep her second child and fight for her right to have an abortion.
Rodrigo’s story highlights a key point regarding abortion rights: they are not just a matter of personal choice.
The Glastonbury Festival: Olivia Rodrigo on stage
What’s next for abortion rights?
The Glastonbury Festival is one of the most prestigious and renowned music events in the world. Held annually in Somerset, England, it has been described as “one of the most spiritual and legendary festivals in the world.” This year’s line-up includes headliners The Cure, Morrissey, and Fleetwood Mac. But what about abortion rights?
This year’s lineup is littered with performers who have spoken out against abortion rights including Laura Marling, Dixie Chicks, Lorde, and Hozier. Naturally, this has sparked a lot of controversy online with some people praising these artists for speaking out against abortion while others are outraged that an event like Glastonbury would be promoting such a divisive topic.
What do you think is next for abortion rights?
Conclusion
After the Glastonbury Festival announced that they would be banning abortion because of fears over the safety of pregnant women, Olivia Rodrigo had this to say: “We’re not happy about it but there’s nothing we can do. We hate you.” Rodrigo is one of many celebrities who have spoken out against the decision. Many others have voiced their concerns on social media using the hashtag #GlastonburyForTheMoments. It seems that despite claims from festival organisers that they are only trying to protect unborn children, many people feel that this is a step backwards in terms of reproductive rights and freedom.
