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Wyclef

Jean has cancelled his

March 24th concert at the College of Charleston in Charleston,

South Carolina, in support of the NAACP’s economic sanctions against

the tourism industry in South Carolina. The sanctions, which were

officially launched on January 1, 2000, are intended to impel

the state to stop flying the Confederate battle flag atop the

state capitol building.

The

economic boycott was further strengthened when several other artists

— including Destiny’s Child, Patti LaBelle, the O’Jays, Eric

Benet, Brian McKnight and Gerald LeVert — refused to perform

in the state as long as the flag flew. Noted dancer/choreographer

Bill T. Jones also recently withdrew from Charleston’s prestigious

Spoleto Festival.

"As much as I hate to cancel a show," said Wyclef Jean,

"I cannot in good conscience perform in a state that has

an emblem of racism and division flying over its capitol. I am

in full support of the NAACP’s initiatives and feel sure that

my fans will understand that my actions are to help raise the

consciousness of the people of South Carolina and the rest of

America."