Lord Buffalo’s Drummer Detained: European Tour Canceled Amid Immigration Concerns
The music community is reeling after Lord Buffalo, a psychedelic-Americana band from Austin, Texas, was forced to cancel their upcoming European tour. The reason? Their drummer, Yamal Said, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
According to the band's social media statements, Said, a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States with a green card, was forcibly removed from their flight on Monday, May 12. The band has been unable to contact him since.
"We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour," the band stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation. "Our drummer, Yamal Said...was forcibly removed from our flight to Europe...He has not been released, and we have been unable to contact him."
This incident has sent shockwaves through the music scene, raising concerns about immigration policies and their impact on artists. The Austin Chronicle reports that Said has been a fixture in the Austin music community since the 1980s, contributing to various musical projects and working as a music instructor.
The band is working with an immigration lawyer to secure Said's release, but the uncertainty has forced them to put their tour on hold. Lord Buffalo had been scheduled to tour Europe in support of their album, "Holus Bolus".
Orsak:Oslo, Lord Buffalo's touring partners, will continue the tour without them. They expressed solidarity with Said, stating, "No one should be pulled off a plane and jailed for simply trying to travel and make art with their band...this should not happen anywhere."
Unfortunately, Lord Buffalo isn't alone in facing such challenges. Other artists, like the British punk band U.K. Subs and singer-songwriter Bells Larsen, have experienced difficulties entering the United States due to visa issues and changing immigration policies. The incident involving Yamal Said is becoming a growing trend for musical artistis attempting to enter and leave the United States.
This incident raises critical questions about the intersection of immigration, artistic freedom, and the ability of musicians to travel and share their art across borders. It underscores the potential chilling effect these policies can have on the music industry and the broader cultural landscape.
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