The 17-year-old concertgoer who YG booted off stage during San Antonio’s Mala Luna Music Festival for not yelling “Fuck Trump” is speaking out. Austin Joyner addressed the October 2019 incident Twitter on Friday night (January 10) and included a letter he wrote directly to the Compton-bred rapper.
In his post, he accused YG of putting a “target” on his back while praising the security guards who helped him. He also explained why he didn’t want to participate in the chant.
“I didn’t want to present myself in that way,” he wrote in part. “At no time did I mention anything regarding politics at the festival. As Americans, we have Freedom of Speech, and while I may not agree with YG’s hatred towards President Trump, as a citizen, he’s allowed to say what he wants.
“However, he crossed a line when he singled me out for not singing along and tried to humiliate me and get the entire crowd to turn against me in a threatening manner.”
I was the 17 year old @YG kicked off stage for not saying “F*** Trump”
Many platforms depicted this story inaccurately
Here is the truth and I wrote a letter to YG.
Please help me get my message out! pic.twitter.com/NTFVzikzpH
— Austin Joyner (@AustinJoyner20) January 11, 2020
Joyner, who adheres to strict religious values, also praised the security guards who came to his aid while condemning YG for his actions.
“You put a target on my back that night and made it unsafe for me at the festival,” Joyner continued. “Thankfully, two security guards came up to me after you kicked me off stage. They advised me to leave because they determined it was too risky for me to stay there at that point.”
Here’s a video of what happened pic.twitter.com/K1Ymc9zlrQ
— Austin Joyner (@AustinJoyner20) January 11, 2020
Joyner then revealed why he waited so long to talk about what happened.
“It has taken me a few months for me to fully forgive you, but I did not want to respond to the incident until I did forgive,” he said. “I forgave you on January 4, 2020. I really don’t want to hold on to those type of feelings.”
Ultimately, Joyner attempted to take the high road and wished nothing for the best for YG.
“I believe that you could even make the type of transition Kanye West has made,” he said. “In the end, I want you to succeed, and I want you to become the man God designed you to be.”
The concert in question took place on October 26, 2019. YG apparently noticed Joyner’s refusal to scream “Fuck Trump” along with the rest of the crowd and brought him onstage in attempt to convince him to do so. When he said no, YG kicked him out.
“Don’t come to a muthafuckin’ show with YG on the muthafuckin’ bill if you a Donald Trump supporter,” YG said shortly after having removed. “Fuck are you doing? Don’t let his ass back in the crowd. Tell him YG said so. Donald Trump’s racist. He don’t fuck with black people, so if you fuck with Donald Trump, you racist as fuck and I can’t fuck with you. Period.”
Rapper .@Yg says he doesn't mess with fans that support @realDonaldTrump and booed off a fan who came in stage and couldn't say F**CK Donald Trump @people @TMZ @News4SA @KABBFOX29 pic.twitter.com/KY0b3yEjbt
— Jamie Barrientos† (@realjamiebee) October 27, 2019