They weren't caught in any position; they opened the can of warms by cancelling the performance. The animosity and propaganda on this issue run very deep, and it doesn't help that our federal government is also taking sides. Such a mess.
The CEO or head of TSO should be fired for this. We are a free country and the artists personal views are a form of free speech. If you don't like it or agree, then don't buy tickets. To prevent her from playing is a violation of her human rights. This is a pure political move to keep a small but powerful Ukrainian contingent happy and renewing their TSO memberships. Money talks, freedom walks.
In this case it's a artist affected. I agree with your point that we don't have free speech in the private sector. However, this is a public institution and this decision sets a precedent. Not that it hasn't already been set by universities who have banned speakers based on their views.
The CEO or head of TSO should be fired for this. We are a free country and the artists personal views are a form of free speech. If you don't like it or agree, then don't buy tickets. To prevent her from playing is a violation of her human rights. This is a pure political move to keep a small but powerful Ukrainian contingent happy and renewing their TSO memberships. Money talks, freedom walks.
Just like with Bill Cosby performing in Hamilton and Kitchener.
Haven't been convicted of any crime, so they shouldn't be barred from performing. Unless, like professional sports players, there is some sort of morality clause in their contract.
"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it."
I'm not sure why you want to stand up for Putin's Russia. In stark contrast to the freedom that Lisitsa enjoys in the West, ask yourself why Pussy Riot, among many others, have paid dearly for holding a differing "valid opinion" in today's Russia...
PS: I'm not Ukrainian, but can smell hypocritical BS a mile away...
As I understand it, however, it is not so much the pro-Russia "slant" of her tweets that got her in hot water it was the insulting way she refers to Ukranians.
I have only followed this story casually but I think there is a difference between saying something like "the best thing for the future of the Ukraine is to once again come under Moscow's control" and saying something like "Ukrainians are dog sh*t"....as I believe she did.