Facebook group just created for SLC venue LAST NIGHT (Sept 14) and
Salt Lake City concert CANCELLED today
(Diary on rec list here for 6 hours last night was at least equally responsible for this great outcome! Thank you, Kossacks!)
http://www.deseretnews.com/...
According to posts on their Facebook page and their official website, The National has decided to move the Buju Banton show to "another location."
(more updates below)
(RI, CT, ME, MA, NY, NJ, etc...I'm looking at you. Where's your FB group?)
Stop Buju Banton from spreading hatred in SLC at the Urban Lounge on 10/8!
*************************
UPDATE 1 Re: Atlanta show
From Ms Johnson:
Their response:
While I in NO way agree with the lyrics from that song. He aplogized for that years ago many times and no longer performs that music. I believe in second chances, and we host many gay and lesbian events here and support those communities. I can assure you that I get many request from organizations not to host those events as well. I understand your feelings, but if I canceled every show that a group did not like, then I would never be open.
Hmm:
Thank you for your response, Lucy, and I understand your position. I hope you will likewise understand why I can never again attend a performance at your venue and will suggest that my LGBT friends and their supporters don't do so either. A quick search of Youtube will quickly reveal that the assertion that he no longer performs "Boom Bye Bye" is untrue. Likewise, I can find no evidence to support the contention that he ever "apologized." To the contrary, despite reports that he signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, in which artists agreed to refrain from singing homophobic songs, Buju Banton later denied having signed the Act and has continued to advocate for the murder of gay men in his music. I dare say that you would never have an artist on your stage that openly called for the murder of African Americans or women. One wonders why you would do so for a person that condones the murder of queers.
I would also point out that promoters and other venues in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Dallas and Houston have taken a more courageous stand on this issue than Center Stage is apparently prepared to take. That's a shame.
ACTION NEEDED - Please call/email/protest to help get shows this week cancelled
Sept 15, Providence, RI
Sept 16, New Haven, CT
Sept 17, Portland, ME
Sept 18, Revere, MA
Sept 19, Rochester, NY
Sept 20, Newark, NJ
On June 24, 2004, six men were driven from their home on Carlisle Avenue in Kingston and beaten by armed assailants calling the victims "battymen" (slang for gays). Buju Banton was one of the alleged attackers as documented by human rights groups and verified by Amnesty International.He was acquitted of charges in 2006, however, because homosexuality is a crime in Jamaica, the police fail to protect LGBT people from hate crimes and fully prosecute those who commit them.
Just 3 days ago, The Independent published an article on yet ANOTHER anti-gay murder on the island of Jamaica, where Banton's lyrics and the hate behind them are openly celebrated and (according to Amnesty International) at least 35 gay men have been slaughtered since 1997.
"When [Human Rights Watch researcher Rebecca] Schleifer visited Jamaica in 2004, Brian Williamson, the country’s leading gay activist, was violently chopped to death with a machete in his apartment in Kingston. Schleifer walked to his street shortly after the murder and found a crowd of people gathered outside Williamson’s apartment singing and celebrating his murder and shouting the chorus of 'Boom Bye Bye,' a popular Buju Banton dancehall hit about shooting gay men: 'Boom bye bye, in a ******’s head. Rude boys don’t promote nasty men, they have to die.' Others were laughing and yelling, 'Let’s get them one at a time,' and, 'That’s what you get for sin.'"
Now this man is bringing this "murder music" to the USA.
From previous Diary http://www.dailykos.com/...
Excerpt from response to Mindtrain’s letter to the Hard Rock people:
Over the years, people have objected to certain musical artists and what they may or may not like. Our stance is that we do not endorse artists’ opinions by displaying the memorabilia, playing such artists’ music, etc. We therefore, are an institution built on providing all types of entertainment, with some perhaps disagreeing with an entertainer’s stance on a variety issues. This is every person’s right and privilege, but our view is that by providing a venue for all types of entertainment, we are not supporting or otherwise endorsing one over the other.
Customer Care Team
customer_care@hardrock.com
(407) 445-7649
1-888-519-6683
Hard Rock International
6100 Old Park Lane
Orlando, FL 32835 USA
Response from Plush
We are not promoters for this show. We are a host venue with a signed contract. We don't agree with or condone the artist's lyrics. A promoter books the show and tries to recoup expenses at the door.
I was told the song you mentioned was 12 years old. I will contact the promoter to make sure this song is not on the set list. I am sorry you are offended. If you need to contact me, you can email me directly. I am so sorry.
Kindest Regards,
Tom Fisher
Promoter response
It is true that Buju Banton is homophobic, as was Bob Marley, but he also represents, with beauty, the voice of an oppressed and marginalized people. The song that has people so angry is from a much earlier time, in fact before he became a Rasta and spiritually transformed himself.
He has done much to address the past mistakes he voiced in the song "Boom Bye Bye." He has signed the 'Reggae Compassionate Act', a pledge organized by gay rights activists, which included a clause that he will never again perform this song.
Therefore, comparing Buju to Skrewdriver or any artist with an extensive catalog of hate speech material is grossly inaccurate. If GLAAD can forgive Eminem for his homophobia, even though he has continued to make songs on the subject, why is Banton still being targeted, even though he has not made any more songs on the subject over the past 17 years.
(information on promoters and venues below)
Lyrics to Boom Bye Bye (with standard English translations under), which is still on sale @ Amazon and still being performed by Banton in concert, despite lies from his management company to the contrary
Boom bye bye
Boom [as in gun sound] goodbye, goodbye
[as in we won’t be seeing you again, you’re dead]
Inna batty bwoy head
In a queer’s head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Rude boys don’t promote no queer men
Dem haffi dead
They have to die
Send fi di matic an
Send for the automatic [gun] and
Di Uzi instead
The Uzi instead
Shoot dem no come if we shot dem
Shoot them, don’t come if we shoot them
[as in don’t come to help them]
Guy come near we
If a man comes near me
Then his skin must peel
Then his skin must peel
[as in pour acid over him]
Burn him up bad like an old tyre wheel
Burn him up badly, like you would burn an old tyre wheel
Video of Banton performing "Boom Bye Bye in 2006 and 2007.
Regarding the debinked song of Banton apologists that he has "signed the Raggae Compassionate Act:
But, back home in Jamaica, Radio Jamaica's website claims Banton's manager has denied that the singer signed the RCA pledge: "Speaking with RJR news, Buju's manager Donovan Germaine dismissed the report out of hand," the Web site said. While providing no direct quote, it continued, "He added that the [Banton] management team would not comment further on the issue as it was being used by the gay rights group to gain mileage for their cause." Pandering to the hometown homophobic fans, wouldn't you say?
The good news: as reported at the L.A. Gay Center's website:
"We did it - hundreds of you responded within hours, emailing, calling, encouraging your friends to join this group and signing the petition! Thank you!
After receiving a flood of e-mails and calls, Live Nation, which operates the House of Blues, AND AEG/Goldenvoice have now cancelled all their Buju Banton concerts."
The bad news:
"Our work is not yet finished -- other promoters and concert venues around the country have not followed Live Nation and AEG's lead. We must also let them know that performers like Banton should not be given a stage on which to perform!"
Please join the FB group.
(venue info and updated list on group page)
Please make the phone calls.
(to venues and promoters)
Please show up to local concerts to protest.
(concerts still scheduled for FL, CO, MA, NY, NJ, NH, CT, MD, ME, NC, SC, VA, MN, GA, and NM)
Please spread the word
Pastor Durell Watkins of MCC Sunshine Cathedral asks parishioners to take action against hate
From Facebook group: Cancel Shows for "Faggots Must Die" Singer
and blog
http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/
**Updated List**
September 15th:
City: Providence, RI
Venue: Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
Owner: Claude Giltlewski
Call: 401.331.5876
Email: Info@lupos.com
Website: www.lupos.com
September 16th:
City: New Haven, CT
Venue: Toad's Place
Owner: Brian Phelps
Call: 203.624.8623
Email: hollis@toadsplace.com
Website: www.toadsplace.com
September 17th:
City: Portland, ME
Venue: The Asylum
Call: 207.232.9767
Email: justin@portlandasylum.com
Website: www.portlandasylum.com
September 18th:
City: Revere, MA
Venue: Club Lido
Call: 781.289.3080
Email: office@clublido.com
Website: www.clublido.com
September 19th:
City: Rochester, NY
Venue: Water Street Music Hall
Owner: John Chmiel
Call: 585.546.3887
Email: waterstreetmusic@aol.com
Website: www.waterstreetmusic.com
September 20th:
City: Newark, NJ
Venue: Riverfront Stadium
Call: 973.848.1000
Website: www.newarkbears.com
September 23rd:
City: Charlotte, NC
Venue: Amos' South End
Call: 704.377.6874
Website: www.amossouthend.com
September 24th:
City: Raleigh, NC
Venue: Lincoln Theatre
Call: 919.821.4111
Email: info@Lincolntheatre.com
Website: www.lincolntheatre.com
September 25th:
City: Norfolk, VA
Venue: The Norva
Call: 757.627.4547
Email: questions@thenorva.com
Website: www.thenorva.com
**NOT CANCELLED, MOVED TO ANOTHER VENUE.**
September 26th:
City: Richmond, VA
Venue: The National
Call: 804.612.1900
Website: www.thenationalva.com
**CANCLLED**
September 27th:
City: White Plains, NY
Venue: Westchester County Center
Call: 914.995.4050
Email:countycenterres@westchestergov.com
Website: www.countycenter.biz
**CANCELLED**
October 2nd:
City: Cincinnati, OH
Venue: Annie's
Owner: Pete Georgeton
Call: 513.321.2572
Email: events@anniesentertainment.com
Website: www.anniesentertainment.com
**CANCELLED**
October 3rd:
City: Columbus, OH
Venue: Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
Contact: 614.461.5483
Email: feedback@promowestlive.com
Website: www.promowestlive.com (then click "lifestyle pavilion" )
**CANCELLED**
October 4th:
City: Minneapolis, MN
Venue: First Avenue
Contact: 612.338.8388
Email: Booking: nate@first-avenue.com
Website: www.first-avenue.com
October 6th:
City: Denver, CO
Venue: Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
Owner: Jay Bianchi & Scott Morrill
Call: 303.297.1772
Email: jbird@quixotes.com, & scott.prettylights@gmail.com
Website: www.cervantesmasterpiece.com
October 7th:
City: Aspen, CO
Venue: Belly Up Aspen
Owner: Michael Goldberg
Call: 970.544.9800
Email: booking@bellyupaspen.com
Website: www.bellyupaspen.com
***CANCELLED AS OF 9/15***
October 8th:
City: Salt Lake City, UT
Venue: The Urban Lounge
Call: 801.746.0557
Email: theurbanlounge@gmail.com
October 11th: - REPORTEDLY CANCELED
City: Eureka, CA
Venue: Nocturnum
Owner: Gil Miracle
Call: 707.499.0163
Website: www.myspace.com/nocturnumlive
October 19th:
City: Albuquerque, NM
Venue: Sunshine Theater
Call: 505.764.0249
Website: www.sunshinetheaterlive.com
October 24th:
City: Atlanta, GA
Venue: Center Stage Atlanta
Call: 404.885.1365
Email: Booking: lucy@rivalentertainment.com
Website: www.centerstage-atlanta.com
October 27th:
City: Charleston, SC
Venue: The Music Farm
Owner: Craig Comer, Yates Dew & Riddick Lynch
Call: 843.577.6989
Email: info@musicfarm.com
Website: www.musicfarm.com
October 29th:
City: Jacksonville, FL
Venue: Plush
Call: 904.743.1845
Email: Form email available @ plushjax.com under "contact us".
Website: http://plushjax.com
October 30th:
City: Ybor City, Fl
Venue: The Ritz
Call: 813.247.2555
Email: okesene@theritzybor.com
Website: www.theritzybor.com
October 31st:
City: Miami, FL
Venue: James L. Knight Center
Call: 305.416.5970
Email: reste@jlkc.com
Website: www.jlkc.com
November 1st:
City: Orlando, FL
Venue: Hard Rock Live
Owner: Seminole Tribe
Call: 407.445.7625
Email: customer_care@hardrock.com
Website: www.hardrock.com/LIVE2/live.asp