CANCEL BUJU BANTON "RASTA GOT HATE" TOUR 2009


http://www.cervantesmasterpiece.com/

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Location:

Gay Bashing Performer Who Sings About Shooting Gays In The Head Coming To Denver

Here’s some of the lyrics from reggae artist Buju Banton’s song Boom Bye Bye

Anytime Buju Banton come
Batty bwoy get up an run (“batty bwoy” is an anti-gay slur)
At gunshot me head back
Hear I tell him now crew (Its like) Boom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead
Boom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead

But no, Buju Banton doesn’t just sing about hurting gay people, he has actually physically attacked gay people. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch report he was involved in a 2004 gay bashing mob attack in Jamaica. (source 1, source 2)

And did I mention this guy has a concert in Denver on October 6th at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom and in Aspen on October 7th at Belly Up. (source)

Gays in other cities across the nation have taken a stand against murder music and gotten tour shows cancelled in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas and Houston.

As of yet I haven’t heard about any groups in Denver getting involved but I’ll keep you posted if someone steps up. Soulforce organizer Chris Hubble pointed me towards a letter in OutFront calling on the concerts to be canceled and publishing contact info for the venues as a call to action. Here’s the letter-to-the-editor in full:

Time to cancel Banton concert in Denver

I think the gay community should know that Jamaican singer Buju Banton, whose song “Boom Bye Bye” speaks of killing gays and lesbians with Uzis and of setting them on fire with gasoline, will be performing at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom on Tuesday, October 6.

You can read the lyrics to his song at www.jamaicancaves.org/boom-bye-bye-lyrics.html. You can see how the owner of Cervantes praises his talents at www.cervantesmasterpiece.com.

Last week, concert promoters Live Nation canceled four of Buju Banton’s upcoming concerts due to the uproar in the local gay communities. It is time we do the same in Denver.

Buju Banton has been booked into Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom by the club’s owner, Jay Bianchi. Please take a few minutes to let Jay know that while you appreciate “free speech,” you do not appreciate him bringing “hate speech” to Denver.

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom is located at 2637 Welton St. in the Five Points neighborhood. The phone number is 303/297-1772. Jay Bianchi’s e-mail address is jbird@quixotes.com.

Make the call NOW. It will only take a few minutes of your time.

Steve Jankousky