BREAKING: Florida Venues Canceling Singer Who Calls for Murder of Gays
Tampa and Orlando venues have cancelled performances by Buju Banton, the anti-gay Jamaican dance hall, ragga, and reggae singer, whose song "Boom Bye Bye" advocates killing gay men with submachine guns and by pouring acid on them.
Jacksonville and Miami venues executives have not yet responded to calls.
The Florida concert cancellations were announced following grassroots education and outreach efforts from a number of organizations and individuals across the state and across the country.
The outreach is part of a national campaign responding to the murderous lyrics (For more information: http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/)
Venues in Salt Lake City, Columbus Ohio and Minneapolis. Add to this, promoters AEG and Live Nation canceled six of his shows due to outrage from groups in Chicago and Los Angeles. Richmond,
Virginia achieved a victory by getting the Buju Banton moved, which was scheduled to take place on the very same day as the 25th Anniversary of the Virginia Pride Festival.
While the show hasn't yet been canceled, where the show has been moved to has not been announced
In 2004, Buju Banton was investigated over the beatings of six gay men in Jamaica’s capital city of Kingston; he was acquitted in 2006 for lack of evidence. Human rights activists pointed out at the time that Jamaican authorities tend not to handle such cases aggressively, according to the Minnesota Independent,
Informing promoters of the performer's call for the murder of gay people is vital.
One Utah promoter described the decision to cancel, "When initially scheduling the Buju Banton event, we were unaware of his hateful anti-gay message. Upon further review, Urban Lounge has decided to cancel the event."
Take a moment to reach out now.
Venues that have NOT cancelled:
Jacksonville, FL
Buju October 29, 2009, 8:00 PM at Plush, Jacksonville, Florida
Cost: $30
Plush 845
University Blvd N
Jacksonville, FL 32211-9224
(904) 743-1845
Tom Fisher, Marketing Director
904.743.1845
Miami, FL
Raggae Bash 2009
Performing: Buju Banton, Beenie Man & Wayne Wonder!
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: James L. Knight Center
http://www.jlkc.com/
Lorenzo Muniz, General Manager
[email protected]
305.416.5974
Venues that have cancelled
Orlando, FL
Hard Rock
Hamish Dodds, President and Chief Executive Officer
407.445.7625
[email protected]
Tampa, FL
The Ritz, Ybor City
Concert Bookings & Public Events: Carla Vaughan (813) 247-2555 ext. 6554 [email protected]
Public Relations & Marketing: Okesene "Okie" Tilo (813) 247-2555 ext. 6555 [email protected]
Website: www.theritzybor.com
