I am very sorry to have to cancel my forthcoming U.S. tour due to what I
consider to be completely unreasonable demands by the U.S. Embassy in
France in order to renew my
work visa.
In order to obtain this new visa, the rules have once again changed since
November 2004 and I would now have to not only fill out an exceedingly
probing application form, but also be interviewed by a member of the
Embassy staff, and provide proof of ownership of my house, details of my
bank account, my mobile phone records, personal information on all my
family members and more. I consider these demands to be a complete
violation of my privacy and my civil liberties and I refuse to comply.
I am horrified by these new regulations and feel really sad that this is
what some call freedom and democracy.
It has now become almost impossible for an artist to come and perform in
the United States. And until this new proceedure changes I will
unfortunately refuse to comply with this nonsense.
Thank you for your understanding.
Laurent Garnier
consider to be completely unreasonable demands by the U.S. Embassy in
France in order to renew my
work visa.
In order to obtain this new visa, the rules have once again changed since
November 2004 and I would now have to not only fill out an exceedingly
probing application form, but also be interviewed by a member of the
Embassy staff, and provide proof of ownership of my house, details of my
bank account, my mobile phone records, personal information on all my
family members and more. I consider these demands to be a complete
violation of my privacy and my civil liberties and I refuse to comply.
I am horrified by these new regulations and feel really sad that this is
what some call freedom and democracy.
It has now become almost impossible for an artist to come and perform in
the United States. And until this new proceedure changes I will
unfortunately refuse to comply with this nonsense.
Thank you for your understanding.
Laurent Garnier
