Filipino Christian youths flash the thumbs-down signs as they chant “Stop the Lady Gaga concerts” during a rally, calling for the cancellation of the singer’s May 21-22 concerts, outside the Pasay City Hall today in Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines. The youths said they are offended by Lady Gaga’s music and videos, in particular her song “Judas” which they say mocks Jesus Christ. Lady Gaga’s concert was marked also by protest from evangelical groups in South Korea and the singer scrapped an Indonesia concert following protests from conservative Muslims. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)HRVOJE HRANJSKI
MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Scores of Christian youths in the Philippines chanted “Stop the Lady Gaga concerts” at a rally Friday calling for the pop diva’s shows here to be canceled despite assurances from authorities that they won’t allow nudity and lewd acts.
Sold-out crowds and angry protests followed Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” Asian tour. Fans younger than 18 were banned from the Seoul concerts over complaints her lyrics and costumes were too sexually provocative, and she was denied a concert permit in Indonesia by police under pressure from Islamic hard-liners.
About 70 members of a group called Biblemode Youth Philippines rallied in front of the Pasay City Hall in metropolitan Manila. They said they were offended by Lady Gaga’s music and videos, in particular her song “Judas,” which they say mocks Jesus Christ.
Lady Gaga has secured papers for two concerts Monday and Tuesday, but Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto said he told organizers to ensure that “they follow the rules and regulations stipulated in the concert permit earlier provided by the city government.”