A ban on Hip-Hop star Snoop Dogg has been lifted, allowing him to perform in Australia.
Immigration officials confirmed that Snoop Dogg, 38, will be allowed to tour the country with rapper Ice Cube for 17 days, starting on October 21.
Snoop Dogg was prevented from entering the country in April 2007, after former Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews blocked the rapper from entering Australia, due to his extensive criminal record.
Snoop, 38, was also banned from entering Britain after a brawl with security guards at Heathrow Airport in 2006.
He was later cleared of any wrong doing by British immigration officials. Australia’s decision to allow Snoop Dogg to enter the country has angered local activists group, who are calling for the ban to be upheld.
“Snoop Dogg trades in toxic messages of menace, violence, misogyny and lawlessness,” Angela Conway of the Australian Family Association told Australia’s Herald Sun. “To add to the fire, he’s actually had issues with firearms and drugs.”
Snoop Dogg’s appearance will be formerly protested by Victims Of Crime Assistance League (Vocal), who have filed an official complaint with immigration officials.
“What’s wrong with these social engineers to let such a person into the country?” Vocal representative Noel McNamara said. “There is enough violence in the community without importing violent rappers from America.”