Police urge Barbados government to prohibit Sizzla from entering country for concert
AP
Monday, March 21, 2005
Sizzla
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) - Police said Barbados should not allow reggae artiste Sizzla, who was arrested in Jamaica last week in connection with a massive weapons seizure, to perform at a concert here next week.
Sizzla, whose real name is Miguel Collins, was scheduled to perform at the National Stadium on March 27. Tickets have been on sale for more than a month, but the status of the concert was unclear after Sizzla's arrest Thursday. The dancehall singer remains in custody but has not been charged.
Barbados police commissioner Darwin Dottin said he would urge the government not to give Sizzla a work permit allowing him to enter Barbados.
"I will recommend to the Minister of Home Affairs not to give him a work permit," Dottin said Saturday. "Perhaps his presence here would be inimical to good order."
Sizzla was among 33 people arrested after police and military raided the crime-ridden community of August Town in Jamaica's capital of Kingston. Authorities seized six AK-47 rifles, three sniper rifles, a submachine gun and 58 rounds of ammunition.
Police say Sizzla is suspected of supplying weapons to gangs in the community.
Attempts to reach Sizzla's manager Phillip Durrell for comment have been unsuccessful.
The Rastafarian singer, whose songs include Thank U Mamma and Black Woman and Child, was sentenced to 15 days in prison last month for swearing while performing at the East Fest concert in St Thomas parish in eastern Jamaica. He was allowed to remain free pending an appeal, however.
Sizzla, whose songs have been hits in Jamaica and Barbados, also made headlines last year after gay advocacy groups in Britain said his lyrics promoted homophobia, prompting the cancellation of several shows in London.
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