(Headline USA) Comedian Dave Chappelle’s scheduled show in Minneapolis was canceled at the last minute by the venue following leftist backlash.
We hear you. Tonight’s show has been cancelled at First Avenue and is moving to the Varsity Theater. See our full statement for more. pic.twitter.com/tkf7rz0cc7
— First Avenue (@FirstAvenue) July 20, 2022
The venue, First Avenue, announced it was canceling Chappelle’s performance on Wednesday night and that it would move to the nearby Varsity Theater, which is owned by a different business.
In a statement announcing the cancelation, First Avenue said that while it respects “the freedom of artistic expression,” they had “lost sight of the impact” hosting Chappelle would have on their local community.
“To staff, artists, and our community, we hear you and we are sorry,” the announcement read. “We know we must hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down.”
The decision came after leftists started an online petition on Change.org to cancel Chappelle’s event.
“Dave Chappelle has a record of being dangerous to trans people, and First Avenue has a duty to protect the community,” read the petition, which had just 120 signatures as of early Thursday morning, according to NBC News.
“Chappelle’s actions uphold a violent heteronormative culture and directly violate First Avenue’s code of conduct,” the petition continued. “If staff and guests are held to this standard, performers should be too.”
Chappelle has come under criticism from leftist activists for making fun of the transgender movement in his comedy specials.
They even convinced Chappelle’s alma mater, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, to cancel a fundraiser with him by staging a student protest.
They have also tried to force Netflix to remove Chappelle’s comedic specials, which the streaming service has thus far refused to do.
