K-pop Fans Gather Outside HYBE America, Rally Against Scooter Braun
Fans gathered in front of HYBE America's office to demand the removal of Scooter Braun amidst the ongoing crisis in Palestine.
Under the banner of “Boot The Scoot,” fans of HYBE idols have been actively opposing Braun’s association with the company, citing his ties to the Israeli government.
Led by Palestinian fans, who have been at the forefront of the online campaign with the hashtag #HYBEDivestFromZionism, efforts have included not only protests but also fundraising initiatives to aid those affected in Gaza.
Despite facing resistance from within their own fandoms, these fans have persisted, trending hashtags and petitions. Previous attempts to engage with HYBE and Bang Si Hyuk, have included sending a protest truck to the company’s Seoul headquarters.
The physical protest on March 23 saw fans gathering with banners outside HYBE America’s office, where Braun serves as CEO. Chants demanding divestment from Zionism echoed as attendees marched.
The Palestinian Youth Movement played a significant role in organizing and leading the demonstration, highlighting the broader solidarity across the US.
Among the protestors was an individual identified as Nasim, previously introduced by Braun as a Palestinian-American friend. Allegations surfaced that Nasim attempted to dissuade participants and defended Braun’s purported donations to Gaza, a stance met with skepticism.
Simultaneously, fans unable to attend physically flooded social media platforms with evidence of Braun’s ties to the Israeli government, emphasizing the discordance with HYBE’s idols.
Despite initially sharing pictures on social media, including one with Bang Si Hyuk captioned “Epic Fridays,” Braun limited comments on his posts after fans referenced the protest.
While celebrated as a victory by K-pop fans online, the protest signifies an ongoing commitment to advocacy until HYBE addresses concerns regarding Braun’s involvement. The response from HYBE, whether reaffirming previous statements or taking a different approach, is uncertain.
Source: KB
