Belgian punk band denied entry to the US

The Kids, the legendary Belgian punk band led by Ludo Mariman, has had to cancel their American tour: they are not permitted entry into the country.

In a message on Facebook, the band—which has been active since 1976—announced that its scheduled performances on 18 and 20 July and on 7 and 8 November in the United States must be cancelled due to "ongoing visa and work permits issues, beyond our control".

Speaking to Belgian media, guitarist Luc Van De Poel stated that the reason for the problems is clear: dissenting opinions, for which punks are known, are no longer welcome in Donald Trump's USA: "Anything that deviates even slightly from the norm is no longer permitted entry."

(PP with GF - Source: Nieuwsblad, VRT Nieuws - Photo: © Unsplash)