Rock performer Morrissey cancels Boston and Connecticut concerts due to alleged credible threat on his life
In a series of unexpected developments, Morrissey, the former frontman of The Smiths, has found himself at the centre of a storm after cancelling two shows in New England due to a credible threat to his life. The cancellation followed a string of controversial statements and actions, which have long made the British musician a divisive figure in the UK and beyond.
On Sept. 12, Morrissey's CityFolk set went ahead in Ottawa, followed by shows in Toronto and New York City. However, the New England dates were the first to be scrapped after the arrest of Noah Castellano, an Ottawa man, over an alleged online death threat tied to Morrissey's performance. Castellano was charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and was released on $5,000 bail.
This incident has put security at live events under scrutiny, especially in the wake of the shooting incident at a college event in the USA on Sept. 10, 2022, which claimed the life of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The shooting has sparked a renewed focus on security measures at live events, with many questioning whether enough is being done to protect artists and attendees.
Morrissey's controversial reputation precedes him. In 2019, he wore a pin for the UK's far-right For Britain movement on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." His 2017 interview with Germany's Der Spiegel drew backlash for his comments critical of the #MeToo movement. He has also been condemned by civil rights and anti-racist groups for his remarks, which they deem Islamophobic, and has mocked Muslim public figures and rituals, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Eid observances.
Furthermore, Morrissey has repeatedly attacked Islamic practices, calling halal slaughter "evil" and falsely linking halal certification to ISIS. In 2010, he referred to Chinese people as a "subspecies" during an interview about animal cruelty in China. These statements and actions have led to calls for boycotts of his shows, with many expressing their disapproval of his divisive and offensive comments.
The canceled concerts were scheduled at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., and Boston's MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Both venues have announced that they will issue refunds for the canceled shows. Despite the controversy, Morrissey's shows in Toronto and New York City went ahead as planned.
As the fallout from the cancellation continues, the focus remains on the threat that was made and the security measures in place to protect artists and attendees at live events. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for robust security measures to ensure the safety of all involved.
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