The Boston Celtic punk rock band Dropkick Murphys have stop the Punk within the Park pageant tour of a number of U.S. cities after it was revealed the proprietor of the promotion firm Brew Ha Ha had donated lower than $1000 to President Donald Trump.
After final weekend’s cease in Denver, the pageant has two reveals remaining this yr: Worcester, MA on September 27 and October 4 and 5 in San Pedro, California. Leftists have began a petition to cancel the Punk within the Park pageant.
The controversy first flared up final weekend when two decrease tier bands pulled out of the Punk within the Park pageant in Denver, citing the Trump donations by Brew Ha Ha proprietor Cameron Collins.
Excerpt from KMGH-TV report on the Denver present controversy:
Punk within the Park, a three-day punk rock pageant held on the Nationwide Western Stockyards, kicked off with controversy overshadowing the packed lineup of 40-plus bands.
…Two bands, Future Bond and Time Heist, introduced their withdrawal from the pageant after discovering Cameron Collins, proprietor of Brew HaHa Productions — the manufacturing firm behind Punk within the Park — had donated to Donald Trump’s presidential marketing campaign together with different right-wing political teams, in accordance with FEC experiences.
Their sudden exit sparked heated debates amongst punk followers, aligning with the style’s anti-establishment roots.
Brandon Alan Lewis, proprietor of Punkerton Information, first uncovered Collins’ political contributions and felt compelled to tell others.
“I felt like individuals no less than had the proper to know,” mentioned Lewis, explaining how this revelation conflicts with punk’s basic beliefs. “I simply felt prefer it was the antithesis of what we characterize in punk rock.”
The Dropkick Murphys performed the Denver cease, however introduced their resolution to stop the tour on stage. The group posted an announcement on Tuesday on Instagram, “Hey people . Punk Rock and Donald Trump simply don’t belong collectively. So Upon discovering out that Brew Ha Ha promotions donated to the Trump marketing campaign we is not going to be taking part in any extra Punk within the Park reveals. We saved our dedication to the Denver present as a result of we didn’t need to depart our supporters who purchased tickets holding the bag. Thanks to your understanding on this matter.”
The video options entrance man Ken Casey trashing Trump supporters:
Cameron Collins responded with a prolonged assertion posted to Instagram and Fb which talks about his Trump donations and his present dissatisfaction with numerous actions by Trump this yr in addition to stating his solidarity with the punk rock group (click on the arrows on the Instagram picture to scroll the assertion. (Textual content posted beneath)
I’ve by no means posted something political on our platforms and don’t have any intention to sooner or later however this must be addressed. There have been plenty of assumptions and conclusions made as to who I’m and what my values are.
Like many People, my political opinions don’t neatly match right into a single field or occasion affiliation. I consider in equity, humanity, free expression, and fostering unity amongst individuals. That’s how I’ve tried to reside my life and conduct my enterprise.
We reside in a two-party system, and sadly, it’s essential to select primarily based on a number of necessary points that resonate with you. For me, these points have been the promise to finish wars and chorus from coming into new worldwide conflicts, decrease taxes, and stopping authorities overreach.
On the time, it boiled right down to these factors for me. I have to admit that I haven’t been happy with an amazing most of the present President’s viewpoints, opinions, and insurance policies up to now, notably with the latest ICE atrocities and the backtracking on the Epstein recordsdata being launched in addition to all of the posturing with our allies around the globe.
I believe all of us in all probability have widespread floor on plenty of large points like being anti-racism, anti-war, and the idea in human rights for EVERYONE, no matter race, sexual orientation, faith, or some other id.
Moreover, I’d think about all of us oppose hate of any form and passionately help this group of punk rock and its individuality that has welcomed so many misfits into the household through the years.
This group represents a variety of views and backgrounds, and that variety has all the time been a part of its id. We don’t need to see eye to eye on every little thing to come back collectively and revel in what unites us, nice music, good occasions, and mutual respect.
It’s necessary to notice that the pageant has not and won’t donate any of its proceeds to any political occasion. Nonetheless, we do make important donations to numerous charitable causes, corresponding to Punk Rock Saves Lives and Large Brother Large Sister.
We proudly make use of a whole bunch of individuals immediately and not directly at our festivals from all walks of life, race, faith and sexual orientation.
Over time, I’ve been proud to supply a platform for artists to attach with a whole bunch of 1000’s of followers. We’ve invested tens of millions of {dollars} in artist ensures, and I’ve by no means censored or restricted a band’s message or voice. Our monitor report speaks for itself.
