The Riyadh Comedy Festival in the capital of Saudi Arabia began on Friday, with top comedians including Dave Chappelle , Kevin Hart, Bill Burr , Aziz Ansari, Louis C.K. , Pete Davidson, Jo Koy, and Jimmy Carr on the robust roster of performers. However, the comics have received backlash from their peers for reportedly accepting hefty paychecks in exchange for taking part in an event that Human Rights Watch said is being used to deflect attention from the country’s “brutal repression of free speech.”

On Monday, David Cross published a statement to his website condemning some of his “HEROES” for participating in the festival. “I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing. That people I admire, with unarguable talent, would condone this totalitarian fiefdom f

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