Sign in or 
Share this
10-31 Miami, FL
CANCEL BUJU BANTON "RASTA GOT HATE" TOUR 2009
Homophobes Buju Banton & Beenie Man!
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: James L. Knight Center
http://www.jlkc.com/
Lorenzo Muniz, General Manager
lmuniz@jlkc.com
305.416.5974
His song "Boom Bye Bye" advocates pouring acid on LGBT people, "burning them up bad like an old tire wheel," and shooting them in the head with an AK-47. He also sings "Anytime Buju Banton come, f--gots get up and run ... they have to die".
Do your part to stand up to anti-gay incitements to violence.
Sign the letter to venue owners and elected officials.
Buju Banton is still scheduled to perform in three Florida cities this week. Thursday, Oct. 29th, in Jacksonville.Saturday, Oct. 31st, in Miami; and a new date was added for Friday, Oct. 30th, in St. Petersburg.
"Boom Bye Bye" has become an international gay bashing anthem. In 2004, Brian Williamson, Jamaica's leading gay activist, was violently chopped to death with a machete in his apartment in Kingston. A reporter 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”.
Equality Florida staff have received an unprecedented flood of hate mail and threats in response toour public opposition to Banton's hateful lyrics. One staff member received a letter stating: "YOU ARE STARTING A WAR IN WHICH YOU WILL BE KILLED" And another says "YOU'LL BE 6 FEET UNDER PERMANENTLY."
Join Equality Florida along with elected officials, community leaders, and partner organizations including Save Dade, Unity Coalition, and Pridelines for a community response to performers who incite violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
Friday, October 30th 4:00pm
at the James L. Knight Center
400 SE 2nd Ave
Stop Anti-Gay Murder Music in Miami PETITION
PETITION LINK:
https://indigo501.wufoo.com/forms/stop-antigay-murder-music-in-miami/
So far, due to an outpouring of opposition from Equality Florida members and community allies, management at the venues in Tampa and Orlando have canceled; the Tallahassee event in now listed as withdrawn on the Eventful.com website; Jacksonville management has not responded and Toyota has dropped it's sponsorship of the Miami event.
Here's how you can help:
1) Circulate the petition calling for the venue to cancel:
http://ow.ly/qUwe
If you are willing to email decision-makers individually, here is the direct contact info below.
2) Thank Toyota for pulling their sponsorship of the event
Lorenzo Muniz
General Manager
James L. Knight Ctr.
Miami Convention Ctr.
Global Spectrum Managed Facilities
(305) 416-5970 Office
(305) 416-5974 Direct
lmuniz@jlkc.com
Here are the executives of the venue management company:
tglickman@global-spectrum.com
Here's a sample letter to 103.5 The Beat radio station that is sponsoring the concert:
Songs of hate
BY GEORGE BYARS
GNByars.aol.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/1268476.html
Posted on Tuesday, 10.06.09
Reggae dancehall performers Buju Banton and Beenie Man don't know me, but they say they hate me.
I'm a black man of Jamaican ancestry -- who knows, our Kingston roots may be intertwined somewhere in the past -- but because I am gay, they say they are at war with me.
They sing lyrics that incite their fans to murder and torture all gay people, even providing specific instructions:
Buju Banton incites listeners to shoot gays in the head, pour acid on us and set us on fire. Beenie Man suggests that his fans ``Hang lesbians with a long piece of rope'' and sings of a new Jamaica, ``come to execute all the gays.'' Buju suggests killing us with machine guns; Beenie recommends bazookas.
Banton and Beenie Man are both scheduled to perform in Miami's James L. Knight Center at the ironically titled Reggae ``Bash'' 2009 on Oct. 31. This Halloween-night concert is a personal affront and a physical threat to people like me. They are bringing their message of hate into my city, and inciting people to violence in my neighborhood. I call on the the city and the Knight Center management to cancel the concert, and for companies to end their sponsorship of the event.
I am not alone in my outrage at the hateful and murderous message of Buju Banton and Beenie Man and their incitement of fans to violence against gays and lesbians. Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee venues have already cancelled the concert, and Toyota of Hollywood has withdrawn its financial support of the event. Nationwide, shows in Salt Lake City, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Richmond and Minneapolis have been cancelled.
Unsurprisingly, concert promoters have done two things: downplay the incitement to violence as Banton's youthful indiscretion and invoke his First Amendment right to free speech. ``He was just 15 years old'' when he wrote Boom Bye Bye, his first hateful call to violence, they say. ``He doesn't perform it anymore.''
That is simply not true. A Miami Herald reporter posted a video of Buju Banton performing Boom Bye Bye in Miami in 2007. Search the Internet and you'll see him onstage in a video posted September 2009, screaming: ``There is no end to the war between me and the f--gots!''
As for Banton's right to free speech, I'm a strong supporter of the First Amendment. I firmly believe that Buju Banton and Beenie Man have a right to hate whomever they want, and to speak loudly against them, onstage and off.
But they go much further: They publicly advocate murder and other forms of indiscriminate violence against people like me and incite their listeners to commit assault. No venue, public or private, is obligated to provide space for those who use ``fighting words'' to incite violence.
It is a sign of deep respect for the First Amendment, not an affront to it, to meet hateful speech with only speech, not threats of violence. And that is what fair-minded Floridians -- gay and straight alike -- have been doing all across the state. We are speaking out against the dehumanization of people and the murderous message these two dancehall singers continue to spew for profit.
If the concert goes on, you can be certain there will be protesters outside, exercising our First Amendment right to free speech.
But we will not be inciting murder or violence against anyone. That would be dead wrong and illegal.
George Byars is a member of Equality Florida. He previously served as development director of the civil rights organization.
NO LONGER SPONSORED BY TOYOTA "DREAM TEAM"
Call Toyota of Hollywood at 1-888-413-0125 AND THANK THEM!
Several gay-rights groups are protesting a Halloween-night concert at a city of Miami-owned hall by Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton, whose hit song Boom Bye Bye advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire. “
”The message is that gay people's lives are cheap, and that harming gay people is OK," said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, a statewide gay-rights group calling for the concert to be canceled. "Any time a message of violence and hatred against any group is put out there, it has to be challenged."
Banton, with homes in Tamarac and Jamaica, could not be reached for comment. His South Florida promoter, Andrew Minott of Global Vybz Entertainment, says Banton, 36, stopped singing Boom Bye Bye years ago.
"He did that song they're referring to when he was 15 years old," Minott said. "The song was forgotten about. Because they are making it a big issue, it's come to the forefront. Let sleeping dogs lie."
A YouTube video, however, shows Banton singing Boom Bye Bye during a May 2006 concert at Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami. (Scroll below to watch video.)
Minott said non-Jamaicans often misunderstand the lyrics of reggae performers like Banton and Beenie Man.
"It's a dance hall phrase, `Let's murder him. Murder the boy over there,' '' Minott said. "It's not literal. It's figurative."
Minott has paid a $3,000 deposit to rent the city-owned James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami for the Oct. 31 concert. Scheduled to share the bill with Banton: Beenie Man, whose song titles include [Batty Man Fi Dead] Queers must be killed. Amid similar protests in 2004, MTV bounced Beenie Man from a concert during the Video Music Awards in Miami.
Last month, concert promoters Live Nation and AEG canceled a Banton tour with stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas and Houston after the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center launched a Facebook campaign against the singer. "
Thousands of people have responded with e-mails and calls. It has shot around the Internet," said Smith, adding that shows have also been called off in Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee.
C.J. Ortuño, executive director of SAVE Dade, the county's largest gay-rights group, said he wants the Miami performance to be canceled, too.
"We're working with a couple of groups to find out why a city-owned property is allowing a musician that actually promotes, and creates, hate music," he said.
A Miami assistant city attorney said the city must allow Banton to perform because of his First Amendment right, just as Cuban dance band Los Van Van were permitted to play the old Miami Arena in 1999. Thousands protested outside the arena that night.
Banton, who was acquitted on charges that he helped beat six gay men in Jamaica in 2004, signed a statement in 2007 called the Reggae Compassionate Act, in which he pledged to stop singing songs preaching hate against gays.
He later denied signing the statement -- which bears the signature of Mark Myrie, his legal name.
Earlier this week, Toyota of Hollywood told three of its car salesmen to withdraw their support of the concert. The men hoped to meet prospective customers at the show, said Clifton Budhan, one of the three.
"Instead of getting calls from people who need to buy cars, I got calls from people saying we need to pull out of it," Budhan said.
By withdrawing their sponsorship, Budhan and the other salesmen lost "a substantial amount of money," he said.
“I'm just trying to put my name out there," Budhan said. "I thought it was going to be OK to advertise. But I got calls from people that we are sponsoring people being killed in the United States and England."
Minott said gay activists threatened to picket Toyota of Hollywood if the salesmen didn't withdraw their support.
"Everyone is so scared of the financial retribution," Minott said. "Leave all judgment up to God. Read the Bible. I'm a Christian. If a man lay with a man, you can fill in the blank."
He says the gay activists are "being very unfair'' to the singer.
"What happened to our First Amendment rights, freedom of speech?" Minott said.
Sep 25, 2009 10:29 am US/Eastern 
Buju Banton performs at the Benefit Party after the NY Benefit Premiere of 'The Agronomist' on April 13, 2004 in New York City.
MIAMI (CBS4) ― Jamaican artists Buju Banton and Beanie have received international acclaim for their reggae dance hall music. But at least one group in South Florida says some of Banton's lyrics are inflammatory enough that the city of Miami should cancel Banton's upcoming concert at the James L. Knight Center.
"These lyrics call for the violent murder and mutilation and pouring acid on gay people. They call for getting a rope and hanging lesbians. These lyrics are really out of control," said Stratton Pollitzer of Equality Florida.
Pollitzer said he has successfully talked some advertisers to pull out and has had other concerts cancelled.
"Buju Banton has the right to say whatever he wants to on the street, but these venues are not obligated to provide a platform for him to incite violence and murder against gay and lesbian people," Pollitzer said.
CBS4's Gwen Belton attempted to contact officials at the James L. Knight Center, but was told there would be no comment. Pollitzer claims Knight Center general manager Lorenzo Muniz responded to their concerns in an e-mail saying: "We are not putting on the Buju Banton show. We are leasing the space to a promoter who is putting on a reggae concert, which happens to include this artist. The promoter is a very decent and honest man. I do not believe he signed this artist to invoke hate but to perform as just another reggae act."
Pollitzer said his group will continue putting pressure on anyone associated with the planned performance to silence the two artists, at least at a city owned facility.
"We'll continue to talk to advertisers and sponsors and promoters and ask them not to be associated with this event or any organization that provide a platform for this event," Pollitzer said.
VIDEO: Upcoming Reggae Concert Stirs Gay Controversy
http://cbs4.com/video/?id=83687@wfor.dayport.com
CONTACT:
Monica Williams – Publicist
Monica@johnalessiprfirm.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE RETURN OF REGGAE BASH 2009 –
Global Vybz Entertainment working with Toyota of Hollywood, “The Dream Team” to bring you the hottest music live–
New York, NY (September 15, 2009) Global Vybz Entertainment (GVE) would like to welcome Toyota of Hollywood, “The Dream Team” as new sponsor of the Reggae Bash 2009. The show will be held at the world-class James L. Knight Center, October 31, 2009 at 7:30pm. GVE will be bringing together for the first time in several years; Buju Banton, Beenie man, Wayne Wonder and Red Rat live for a one night celebration.
Toyota of Hollywood, “The Dream team,” as one of the sponsors of the Reggae Bash will be making dreams come true for fans at the concert. “The Dream Team” was created by three car sales men for Toyota of Hollywood. The guys came up with the idea of “The Dream Team” to help people with no credit or bad credit get pre-approved for the dream car they have always wanted. Toyota of Hollywood offers twenty-five different models of Trucks, Cars, Sports Cars, SUV’s and the must have 2009 Hybrid. “The Dream Team” will be on site at the concert giving “give aways” out and informing you of how they can make your dreams come true! To find out more about “The Dream Team” call Clifton Budhan, Richard Kelly or J. Kennedy at 1-888-413-0125 or log on to toyotadreamteam.com. Don’t forget to ask about the new college grad program and follow “The Dream Team” on Twitter!
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the Reggae Bash 2009 show please contact Charles Higgins via e-mail at chuckbfla@hotmail.com. Vendors who are interested in renting a booth or patrons seeking more information about the event please call 954-801-2257. Global Vybz Entertainment – World Wide Music and Entertainment
###
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnBzEFW8dS0
Monica Williams
John Alessi Pr Firm
Marketing.Advertising.Public Relations
80 Wall st. Suite #855 N.Y.N.Y. 10005
Cell 913-306-6232
Beenie Man
Real Name: Anthony M Davis
Date of Birth: 22 August 1973
Jamaican dancehall-reggae star Beenie
Man has personally denied he had ever
apologised for his “kill gays” music and, to
prove it, performed songs inciting the
murder of lesbian and gay people.
In two separate articles, The Jamaica
Observer newspaper revealed Beenie
Man's disavowal of his apology at the Red
Stripe Summer Sizzle concert at James
Bond Beach, Jamaica, on Sunday 22
August 2004.
“Beenie Man, who was celebrating his
birthday, took time to point out that he did
not apologise for his gay-bashing lyrics,
and went on to perform some of his antigay
tunes before delving into his popular
hits,” wrote the Jamaica Observer
“He delivered an explosive set during
which he performed some of the singles
that have drawn the ire of the international
gay community,” said the Observer.
Beenie Man Lyrics
Beenie Man - Han Up Deh
Hang chi chi gal wid a long piece of rope
Beenie Man ****
I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays
Beenie Man - Batty Man Fi Dead
(aka ‘Weh U No Fi Do’)
Hang lesbians with a long piece of rope
I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays
All faggots must be killed!
If you **** arse, then you get copper and lead
No man must have another man in his bed
Roll deep ************, kill *****-sucker
Take a bazooka and kill ***********
(Queers Must Be killed)
[bullets]
[gay men]
All batty man fi dead!
From you **** batty den a coppa and lead
Nuh man nuh fi have a another man in a him bed.
Beenie Man - Roll Deep
Roll deep ***********, kill *****-sucker
Tek a Bazooka and kill ************
*****-sucker:a lesbian, or anyone who performs cunnilingus
Reggae Bash 2009
Performing:Homophobes Buju Banton & Beenie Man!
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: James L. Knight Center
http://www.jlkc.com/
Lorenzo Muniz, General Manager
lmuniz@jlkc.com
305.416.5974
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Help Us Stop Murder Music in Florida
It's been just one month since five Florida performances were announced for Buju Banton. Since then, three venues have canceled the notorious singer whose lyrics call for the torture and murder of gay people.
His song "Boom Bye Bye" advocates pouring acid on LGBT people, "burning them up bad like an old tire wheel," and shooting them in the head with an AK-47. He also sings "Anytime Buju Banton come, f--gots get up and run ... they have to die".
Do your part to stand up to anti-gay incitements to violence.
Sign the letter to venue owners and elected officials.
Buju Banton is still scheduled to perform in three Florida cities this week. Thursday, Oct. 29th, in Jacksonville.Saturday, Oct. 31st, in Miami; and a new date was added for Friday, Oct. 30th, in St. Petersburg.
While other cities in Florida and across the country have canceled Bantons concerts, the venues in Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, and Miami have not yet responded. We're calling upon the venue owners and elected officials to take a stand against hate.
"Boom Bye Bye" has become an international gay bashing anthem. In 2004, Brian Williamson, Jamaica's leading gay activist, was violently chopped to death with a machete in his apartment in Kingston. A reporter 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”.
Equality Florida staff have received an unprecedented flood of hate mail and threats in response toour public opposition to Banton's hateful lyrics. One staff member received a letter stating: "YOU ARE STARTING A WAR IN WHICH YOU WILL BE KILLED" And another says "YOU'LL BE 6 FEET UNDER PERMANENTLY."
WE MUST STAND UP TO THESE HATEFUL ATTACKS
So far, due to an outpouring of opposition from Equality Florida members and community allies, management at the venues in Tampa and Orlando have canceled Banton's performances; the Tallahassee event in now listed as withdrawn on the Eventful.com website; and Toyota has dropped it's sponsorship of the Miami event. Jacksonville management has not responded.
Join Equality Florida along with elected officials, community leaders, and partner organizations including Save Dade, Unity Coalition, and Pridelines for a community response to performers who incite violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
Friday, October 30th 4:00pm
at the James L. Knight Center
400 SE 2nd Ave
Stop Anti-Gay Murder Music in Miami PETITION
PETITION LINK:https://indigo501.wufoo.com/forms/stop-antigay-murder-music-in-miami/
-
To: Miami City Officials and Knight Center Management
Buju Banton is scheduled to appear at the Knight Center in Miami. His lyrics encourage people to torture and murder gay men.
His song "Boom Boom Bye" is about pouring acid on gay people, "burning them up bad like an old tire wheel", and shooting them in the head with an Uzi. He also sings ""Anytime Buju Banton come, f--gots get up and run ... they have to die".
The city-owned Knight Center is no place for this kind of hatred and should not provide a venue for incitement to murder.
Other cities in Florida and across the country have cancelled and we call on the City and the Knight center to take a stand against hate.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
UPDATE: Buju "Murder Gays" Banton Concerts
Earlier this month 5 performances where advertised in Florida for Buju Banton, the notorious singer whose lyrics call for the torture and murder of gay men.So far, due to an outpouring of opposition from Equality Florida members and community allies, management at the venues in Tampa and Orlando have canceled; the Tallahassee event in now listed as withdrawn on the Eventful.com website; Jacksonville management has not responded and Toyota has dropped it's sponsorship of the Miami event.
Here's how you can help:
1) Circulate the petition calling for the venue to cancel:
http://ow.ly/qUwe
If you are willing to email decision-makers individually, here is the direct contact info below.
2) Thank Toyota for pulling their sponsorship of the event
| Send email to the Toyota of Hollywood/ Dream Team contact Clifton Budhan, cbudhan@czag.net |
3) Contact the venue Manager
Lorenzo Muniz
General Manager
James L. Knight Ctr.
Miami Convention Ctr.
Global Spectrum Managed Facilities
(305) 416-5970 Office
(305) 416-5974 Direct
lmuniz@jlkc.com
Here are the executives of the venue management company:
tglickman@global-spectrum.com
esnider@global-spectrum.com
Pluukko@global-spectrum.com
jpage@global-spectrum.com
fruss@global-spectrum.com
msauers@global-spectrum.com
tmobley@global-spectrum.com
Here are the Miami City council members:
mannydiaz@miamigov.com, agonzalez@miamigov.com, msarnoff@miamigov.com, jsanchez@miamigov.com, tregalado@miamigov.com, MSpence@miamigov.com
Pluukko@global-spectrum.com
jpage@global-spectrum.com
fruss@global-spectrum.com
msauers@global-spectrum.com
tmobley@global-spectrum.com
Here are the Miami City council members:
mannydiaz@miamigov.com, agonzalez@miamigov.com, msarnoff@miamigov.com, jsanchez@miamigov.com, tregalado@miamigov.com, MSpence@miamigov.com
Here's a sample letter to 103.5 The Beat radio station that is sponsoring the concert:
DWiggins@ccmiami.com
RandallTMays@clearchannel.com,
MarkPMays@clearchannel.com
Dear Mr. Wiggins,Thank you for your role in bringing great music and public service to South Florida. I am sure that you understand the dangers of supporting and condoning hate speech and espousing violence against any minority group.
Therefore, I must assume you are not fully aware that the upcoming (and ironically titled) Miami Reggae Bash 2009, sponsored by 103.5 The Beat and starring Buju Banton and Beenie Man, is giving voice to two performers who advocate the killing, oppression and literally the bashing of lesbian and gay people in Jamaica and around the world. Such a concert has no place in South Florida, and especially not with the support of such a fine Clear Channel station as yours which respects diversity and equal rights.
I understand the promoter is well aware of of the homophobic background of Buju Banton, but has been convinced people that it was all in the past and that Banton would not perform one of his homophobic songs. However, another homophobic Banton performance was posted on YouTube just this month, and that he has recently been quoted as saying "There is no end to this war between me and f****ts.
You need not take my word for Buju Banton and Beenie Man's espousal of hate. In case you are not familiar with the music and statements of these two homophobic performers, see theses Wikipedia citations .
Buju Banton and Beenie Man's homophobia are not a thing of the past.
Clear Channel and 103.5 The Beat should not be associating their good names with this concert and with these hate-filled performers. Co-sponsors the Toyota of Hollywood "Dream Team" has already withdrawn its support. Please withdraw your sponsorship of this concert immediately, discontinue all on-air and Internet promotion, and encourage the promoter and venue to cancel the Miami performance as the Tampa Ritz and the Hard Rock Orlando have already done.
Songs of hate
BY GEORGE BYARS
GNByars.aol.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/1268476.html
Posted on Tuesday, 10.06.09
Reggae dancehall performers Buju Banton and Beenie Man don't know me, but they say they hate me.
I'm a black man of Jamaican ancestry -- who knows, our Kingston roots may be intertwined somewhere in the past -- but because I am gay, they say they are at war with me.
They sing lyrics that incite their fans to murder and torture all gay people, even providing specific instructions:
Buju Banton incites listeners to shoot gays in the head, pour acid on us and set us on fire. Beenie Man suggests that his fans ``Hang lesbians with a long piece of rope'' and sings of a new Jamaica, ``come to execute all the gays.'' Buju suggests killing us with machine guns; Beenie recommends bazookas.
Banton and Beenie Man are both scheduled to perform in Miami's James L. Knight Center at the ironically titled Reggae ``Bash'' 2009 on Oct. 31. This Halloween-night concert is a personal affront and a physical threat to people like me. They are bringing their message of hate into my city, and inciting people to violence in my neighborhood. I call on the the city and the Knight Center management to cancel the concert, and for companies to end their sponsorship of the event.
Inciting violence
I am not alone in my outrage at the hateful and murderous message of Buju Banton and Beenie Man and their incitement of fans to violence against gays and lesbians. Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee venues have already cancelled the concert, and Toyota of Hollywood has withdrawn its financial support of the event. Nationwide, shows in Salt Lake City, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Richmond and Minneapolis have been cancelled.
Unsurprisingly, concert promoters have done two things: downplay the incitement to violence as Banton's youthful indiscretion and invoke his First Amendment right to free speech. ``He was just 15 years old'' when he wrote Boom Bye Bye, his first hateful call to violence, they say. ``He doesn't perform it anymore.''
That is simply not true. A Miami Herald reporter posted a video of Buju Banton performing Boom Bye Bye in Miami in 2007. Search the Internet and you'll see him onstage in a video posted September 2009, screaming: ``There is no end to the war between me and the f--gots!''
As for Banton's right to free speech, I'm a strong supporter of the First Amendment. I firmly believe that Buju Banton and Beenie Man have a right to hate whomever they want, and to speak loudly against them, onstage and off.
But they go much further: They publicly advocate murder and other forms of indiscriminate violence against people like me and incite their listeners to commit assault. No venue, public or private, is obligated to provide space for those who use ``fighting words'' to incite violence.
Speaking out peacefully
It is a sign of deep respect for the First Amendment, not an affront to it, to meet hateful speech with only speech, not threats of violence. And that is what fair-minded Floridians -- gay and straight alike -- have been doing all across the state. We are speaking out against the dehumanization of people and the murderous message these two dancehall singers continue to spew for profit.
If the concert goes on, you can be certain there will be protesters outside, exercising our First Amendment right to free speech.
But we will not be inciting murder or violence against anyone. That would be dead wrong and illegal.
George Byars is a member of Equality Florida. He previously served as development director of the civil rights organization.
NO LONGER SPONSORED BY TOYOTA "DREAM TEAM"
Call Toyota of Hollywood at 1-888-413-0125 AND THANK THEM!
Gay activists protest upcoming Buju Banton performance at Miami’s James L. Knight Center
BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.comSeveral gay-rights groups are protesting a Halloween-night concert at a city of Miami-owned hall by Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton, whose hit song Boom Bye Bye advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire. “
”The message is that gay people's lives are cheap, and that harming gay people is OK," said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, a statewide gay-rights group calling for the concert to be canceled. "Any time a message of violence and hatred against any group is put out there, it has to be challenged."
Banton, with homes in Tamarac and Jamaica, could not be reached for comment. His South Florida promoter, Andrew Minott of Global Vybz Entertainment, says Banton, 36, stopped singing Boom Bye Bye years ago.
"He did that song they're referring to when he was 15 years old," Minott said. "The song was forgotten about. Because they are making it a big issue, it's come to the forefront. Let sleeping dogs lie."
A YouTube video, however, shows Banton singing Boom Bye Bye during a May 2006 concert at Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami. (Scroll below to watch video.)
Minott said non-Jamaicans often misunderstand the lyrics of reggae performers like Banton and Beenie Man.
"It's a dance hall phrase, `Let's murder him. Murder the boy over there,' '' Minott said. "It's not literal. It's figurative."
Minott has paid a $3,000 deposit to rent the city-owned James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami for the Oct. 31 concert. Scheduled to share the bill with Banton: Beenie Man, whose song titles include [Batty Man Fi Dead] Queers must be killed. Amid similar protests in 2004, MTV bounced Beenie Man from a concert during the Video Music Awards in Miami.
Last month, concert promoters Live Nation and AEG canceled a Banton tour with stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas and Houston after the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center launched a Facebook campaign against the singer. "
Thousands of people have responded with e-mails and calls. It has shot around the Internet," said Smith, adding that shows have also been called off in Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee.
C.J. Ortuño, executive director of SAVE Dade, the county's largest gay-rights group, said he wants the Miami performance to be canceled, too.
"We're working with a couple of groups to find out why a city-owned property is allowing a musician that actually promotes, and creates, hate music," he said.
A Miami assistant city attorney said the city must allow Banton to perform because of his First Amendment right, just as Cuban dance band Los Van Van were permitted to play the old Miami Arena in 1999. Thousands protested outside the arena that night.
Banton, who was acquitted on charges that he helped beat six gay men in Jamaica in 2004, signed a statement in 2007 called the Reggae Compassionate Act, in which he pledged to stop singing songs preaching hate against gays.
He later denied signing the statement -- which bears the signature of Mark Myrie, his legal name.
Earlier this week, Toyota of Hollywood told three of its car salesmen to withdraw their support of the concert. The men hoped to meet prospective customers at the show, said Clifton Budhan, one of the three.
"Instead of getting calls from people who need to buy cars, I got calls from people saying we need to pull out of it," Budhan said.
By withdrawing their sponsorship, Budhan and the other salesmen lost "a substantial amount of money," he said.
“I'm just trying to put my name out there," Budhan said. "I thought it was going to be OK to advertise. But I got calls from people that we are sponsoring people being killed in the United States and England."
Minott said gay activists threatened to picket Toyota of Hollywood if the salesmen didn't withdraw their support.
"Everyone is so scared of the financial retribution," Minott said. "Leave all judgment up to God. Read the Bible. I'm a Christian. If a man lay with a man, you can fill in the blank."
He says the gay activists are "being very unfair'' to the singer.
"What happened to our First Amendment rights, freedom of speech?" Minott said.
Sep 25, 2009 10:29 am US/Eastern
Buju Banton Lyrics Causing Concert Controversy
Buju Banton performs at the Benefit Party after the NY Benefit Premiere of 'The Agronomist' on April 13, 2004 in New York City.
Scott Eells/Getty Images
VIDEO LINKMIAMI (CBS4) ― Jamaican artists Buju Banton and Beanie have received international acclaim for their reggae dance hall music. But at least one group in South Florida says some of Banton's lyrics are inflammatory enough that the city of Miami should cancel Banton's upcoming concert at the James L. Knight Center.
"These lyrics call for the violent murder and mutilation and pouring acid on gay people. They call for getting a rope and hanging lesbians. These lyrics are really out of control," said Stratton Pollitzer of Equality Florida.
Pollitzer said he has successfully talked some advertisers to pull out and has had other concerts cancelled.
"Buju Banton has the right to say whatever he wants to on the street, but these venues are not obligated to provide a platform for him to incite violence and murder against gay and lesbian people," Pollitzer said.
CBS4's Gwen Belton attempted to contact officials at the James L. Knight Center, but was told there would be no comment. Pollitzer claims Knight Center general manager Lorenzo Muniz responded to their concerns in an e-mail saying: "We are not putting on the Buju Banton show. We are leasing the space to a promoter who is putting on a reggae concert, which happens to include this artist. The promoter is a very decent and honest man. I do not believe he signed this artist to invoke hate but to perform as just another reggae act."
Pollitzer said his group will continue putting pressure on anyone associated with the planned performance to silence the two artists, at least at a city owned facility.
"We'll continue to talk to advertisers and sponsors and promoters and ask them not to be associated with this event or any organization that provide a platform for this event," Pollitzer said.
VIDEO: Upcoming Reggae Concert Stirs Gay Controversy
http://cbs4.com/video/?id=83687@wfor.dayport.com
BUJU BANTON PERFORMING LIVE AT JAMES L. KNIGHT CENTER OCT 31,2009
CONTACT:
Monica Williams – Publicist
Monica@johnalessiprfirm.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE RETURN OF REGGAE BASH 2009 –
Global Vybz Entertainment working with Toyota of Hollywood, “The Dream Team” to bring you the hottest music live–
New York, NY (September 15, 2009) Global Vybz Entertainment (GVE) would like to welcome Toyota of Hollywood, “The Dream Team” as new sponsor of the Reggae Bash 2009. The show will be held at the world-class James L. Knight Center, October 31, 2009 at 7:30pm. GVE will be bringing together for the first time in several years; Buju Banton, Beenie man, Wayne Wonder and Red Rat live for a one night celebration.
Toyota of Hollywood, “The Dream team,” as one of the sponsors of the Reggae Bash will be making dreams come true for fans at the concert. “The Dream Team” was created by three car sales men for Toyota of Hollywood. The guys came up with the idea of “The Dream Team” to help people with no credit or bad credit get pre-approved for the dream car they have always wanted. Toyota of Hollywood offers twenty-five different models of Trucks, Cars, Sports Cars, SUV’s and the must have 2009 Hybrid. “The Dream Team” will be on site at the concert giving “give aways” out and informing you of how they can make your dreams come true! To find out more about “The Dream Team” call Clifton Budhan, Richard Kelly or J. Kennedy at 1-888-413-0125 or log on to toyotadreamteam.com. Don’t forget to ask about the new college grad program and follow “The Dream Team” on Twitter!
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the Reggae Bash 2009 show please contact Charles Higgins via e-mail at chuckbfla@hotmail.com. Vendors who are interested in renting a booth or patrons seeking more information about the event please call 954-801-2257. Global Vybz Entertainment – World Wide Music and Entertainment
###
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnBzEFW8dS0
Monica Williams
John Alessi Pr Firm
Marketing.Advertising.Public Relations
80 Wall st. Suite #855 N.Y.N.Y. 10005
Cell 913-306-6232
Beenie Man
Real Name: Anthony M Davis
Date of Birth: 22 August 1973
Jamaican dancehall-reggae star Beenie
Man has personally denied he had ever
apologised for his “kill gays” music and, to
prove it, performed songs inciting the
murder of lesbian and gay people.
In two separate articles, The Jamaica
Observer newspaper revealed Beenie
Man's disavowal of his apology at the Red
Stripe Summer Sizzle concert at James
Bond Beach, Jamaica, on Sunday 22
August 2004.
“Beenie Man, who was celebrating his
birthday, took time to point out that he did
not apologise for his gay-bashing lyrics,
and went on to perform some of his antigay
tunes before delving into his popular
hits,” wrote the Jamaica Observer
“He delivered an explosive set during
which he performed some of the singles
that have drawn the ire of the international
gay community,” said the Observer.
Beenie Man Lyrics
Beenie Man - Han Up Deh
Hang chi chi gal wid a long piece of rope
Beenie Man ****
I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays
Beenie Man - Batty Man Fi Dead
(aka ‘Weh U No Fi Do’)
Hang lesbians with a long piece of rope
I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays
All faggots must be killed!
If you **** arse, then you get copper and lead
No man must have another man in his bed
Roll deep ************, kill *****-sucker
Take a bazooka and kill ***********
(Queers Must Be killed)
[bullets]
[gay men]
All batty man fi dead!
From you **** batty den a coppa and lead
Nuh man nuh fi have a another man in a him bed.
Beenie Man - Roll Deep
Roll deep ***********, kill *****-sucker
Tek a Bazooka and kill ************
*****-sucker:a lesbian, or anyone who performs cunnilingus
SydStevens |
Latest page update: made by SydStevens
, Oct 29 2009, 11:14 AM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Edited by SydStevens
419 words added 1 image added view changes - complete history) |
|
Keyword tags:
activist
artist
bash
Beenie Man
Boom Bye Bye
Broward
Buju Banton
cancel
community
concert
Dade
Dream Team
entertainment
event
Florida
gay
Global Vybz
hate
homophobic
Jamaica
James L Knight Center
lesbian
LGBT
lyrics
Miami
murder
music
organize
perform
petition
picket
protest
rasta
reggae
song
soul
tickets
tour
venue
More Info: links to this page
|
| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championgyal | Old news to the educated! | 0 | Oct 24 2009, 10:19 PM EDT by Championgyal | ||
|
Thread started: Oct 24 2009, 10:19 PM EDT
Watch
Has anyone actually seen or hear the recent meeting with activists in SF? The War is not with him! This sign of activisim is ignorant! Do the damn research before you execute people! Zap! Didn't Oprah teach any of us about forgiveness? God forbid, bahaha! Well I forgive you & the ignorance of this bullsh#t website!
Do you find this valuable?
Keyword tags:
activist
artist
bash
Beenie Man
Boom Bye Bye
Broward
Buju Banton
cancel
community
concert
Dade
Dream Team
entertainment
event
Florida
gay
Global Vybz
hate
homophobic
Jamaica
James L Knight Center
lesbian
LGBT
lyrics
Miami
murder
music
organize
perform
petition
picket
protest
rasta
reggae
song
soul
tickets
tour
venue
|
|||||
| BUJUBANTONLOVER | LET HIM PERFORM | 1 | Oct 5 2009, 11:36 PM EDT by cyberbitus | ||
|
Thread started: Oct 4 2009, 1:29 AM EDT
Watch
IM GOIN TO BUY MA TICKET VERY SOON...ND HE BETTA BE THERE TOO!!!!!!!
|
||||
Showing 2 of 2 threads for this page
