The “Broadway Supports Black Lives Matter” concert scheduled for September 11 at Feinstein’s/54 in New York City has been cancelled because parts of the activist group’s platform have anti-Jewish and anti-Israel elements. The event was set to be directed by Tony Award winner Tonya Perkins.
Feinstein’s/54 sent out the following email to Broadway World:
“The owners and managers of [Feinstein’s/54 Below] strongly believe in and support the general thrust of the goals and objectives of BLM. However, since announcing the benefit they’ve become aware of a recent addition to the BLM platform that accuses Israel of genocide and endorses a range of boycott and sanction actions.
“Feinstein’s/54 Below would have preferred to hold the concert in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, without endorsing or appearing to endorse the entirety of the Black Lives Matter organization and its platform but we’ve found that a distinction impossible for us to effect.
“As we can’t support these positions, we’ve accordingly decided to cancel the concert. We’re sorry about this unfortunate situation which has not dimmed our commitment to supporting social justice.”
The event was set to feature “artists of color” performing songs inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, with “Broadway performers sharing songs in the spirit of the event, and activists educating about the scope of the problems we face and how to promote positive change.”
The evening would have included performers Lilli Cooper, Eisa Davis, Andre De Shields, Michael R. Jackson, Marcus Scott, Darius Smith, Brynn Williams, AAPF- Say Her Name Organization, a representative from the New York chapter of Black Lives Matter, and more.
Broadway Supports Black Lives Matter was put together by Felicia Fitzpatrick, Michael R. Jackson, and Jennifer Ashley Tepper, with consultation by Frank Leon Roberts and Adrienne Warren for the Broadway for Black Lives Matter Collective.
Proceeds from the charity event would have been donated to the Black Lives Matter movement.
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