Students at the University of Central Florida are petitioning to cancel the Tekashi 6ix9ine concert at CFE Arena on September 22 because of the rapper’s recent crimes and convictions.
UCF reportedly won’t cancel the show because they say the venue has been hired privately. Nonetheless, students are accusing the university of “condoning” the 22-year-old rapper’s history. In 2015, Tekashi 6ix9ine, real name Daniel Hernandez, has been charged with a sex crime relating to a video posted by a 13-year-old girl online. He agreed to a guilty verdict of “felony use of a child in a sexual performance.”
In addition to this charge, Hernandez violated terms of his plea deal, in which he agreed not to commit to any other offences for two years. He has been re-arrested twice for allegedly chocking a 16-year-old in Houston earlier this year, and has joined a gang.
Noemi Teutsch, a student at UCF, told local news station WFTV that many of the students are “just as outraged as I am,” noting that “universities are supposed to be upholding certain moral standards.”
“As far as I’m concerned, they are endorsing, and they are condoning his behavior because they’re allowing him to come on campus to perform,” Teutsch said. ” I honestly think it’s ridiculous. It makes no sense whatsoever. Because at some point, you have to draw the line somewhere.’
Teutsch is leading the campaign, which urges students to sign a petition to boycott the concert. Already, the document has over 5,000 signatures, but the university has not made any efforts to cancel the event.
“What message is this decision sending to the general public, that an accredited educational institution will condone and encourage the presence of someone convicted with such an obscene crime?” the petition reads. “Why are they giving this person a pass? Did this fact not cross the the [sic] minds of staff at UCF, or see how it could severely damage the school’s image?”
UCF released the following statement to WFTV:
Students, Floridians, and more took to Twitter, expressing their anger of the concert.
serious question why is a convicted child pornographer being allowed to perform on a college campus and why does literally no one care that this is happening
— Noemi (@xoitsnoemi) August 22, 2018
@UCF @CFEArena hi I’m confused on why you’re letting @6ix9ine preform???
— ᏨᏘᎽLᏘ (@Caymose) August 24, 2018
Read about him. Besides this, he has been involved in numerous violent events, including shootings. This guy is nothing but trouble. Should something happen on campus, I hope UCF is willing to accept blame for the lack of safety.
— Speters (@SpaceChick2030) August 28, 2018
yo @UCF @CFEArena y’all really wanna book the child raping trash @6ix9ine in my city?? how distasteful and disheartening https://t.co/Pl8nch83Aj
— fuck trump (@SLIPTHOTT) August 13, 2018
usually hate UCF but this guy is a real scumbag. do the right thing @UCF
— Ryan Haft (@haftydoesit) August 29, 2018
ucf is literally all about their @ucfcares campaigns about sexual assault but are allowing a pedophile/child pornographer to perform!! wow. wild.
— sofia ? (@sofgarduno) August 7, 2018
Teutsch urges people to sign the petition here. However, she noted that if the concert still does not get cancelled, she will organize a protest with her supporters.
