Speaking recently to the BBC, the musician’s wife Hannah claimed Young was harassed during the first Trump administration as he went through the process of becoming a US citizen. (NME reports)
“They tried to every trick in the book to mess him up, and made him keep coming back to be re-interviewed and re-interviewed. It’s ridiculous,” she said. “He’s been living in America and paying taxes here since he was in his 20s.”
In light of his own speculations he may not be let back into the country, Hannah continued: “They’ve been detaining people who have green cards or visas – which is hideous and horrifying”
The revelation comes ahead of the release of forthcoming documentary Coastal, which was shot and directed by Hannah. It’s set to be screened in cinemas for one night only worldwide on Thursday (April 17), and you can purchase tickets here.
Neil Young is concerned that he may be barred from returning to the U.S. by the Donald Trump administration after he embarks on a forthcoming European tour, saying that he fears his outspokenness against Trump may make him a target, in light of recent deportations of activists, as Variety reports.
“When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J. Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket,” Young wrote. “That is happening all the time now. Countries have new advice for those returning to America. You can read about it at the CANADA Desk. If I come back from Europe and am barred, can’t play my USA tour, all of the folks who bought tickets will not be able to come to a concert by me.”
He continued, “That’s right folks, if you say anything bad about Trump or his administration, you may be barred from re-entering USA. If you are Canadian. If you are a dual citizen like me, who knows? We’ll all find that out together.”
Young did not hold back on his feelings about the president, continuing, “If the fact that I think Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of our great country could stop me from coming back, what does that say for Freedom? I love America and its people and its music and its culture. … Remember Freedom of Speech?”
The musician made the comments Tuesday on his Neil Young Archives website. Although it is April Fool’s Day, which renders all controversial posts subject to extra scrutiny, Young’s message is not in jest, falling right in line with other distressed thoughts he has recently shared about Trump.
The rocker’s missive continued: “By these latest actions of our US government, it seems that those who speak out freely with their own opinions are now vulnerable to a non-existent Trump law. Then it seems to me that if you voted for Kamala Harris over Trump, that makes it possible for you to go to jail or be detained, punished in some way for not showing allegiance to what? How spineless is that? Trump is not be able to stand up to anyone who does not agree with his ideas? Remember, all months have 30 days.”
His conclusion: “One country, indivisible, with Liberty and Freedom for all. Remember that? I do.”
Young has a tour booked for the U.S. with his band the Chrome Hearts starting Aug. 8 in Charlotte, including a Sept. 15 gig at the Hollywood Bowl. Prior to that, he will be performing across Europe from June 8 through July 13.
“Our rights to free speech are being taken away and buried by our government. Reporters who do not agree with our government have been banned from interviewing our President. Canadian-Americans like me have had their freedom threatened by activities such as taking private info from their devices and using it to block them from entering our country – ie: If you don’t agree with our government, you are barred from entering or sent to jail."
Read the full story on Variety
