A third Matisyahu concert has been cancelled in response to the threat of pro-Palestinian proteststhe Jewish American reggae musician shared on his Instagram Friday afternoon.
The show was scheduled for Friday evening at the House of Blues Chicago.
“While my fans and I are deeply hurt by this, please know that we will not cower in the face of these bullies and the pressure they exert,” Matisyahu wrote.
The cancellation comes three weeks after the artist canceled concerts in Tucson, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Both venues cited staff shortages and security concerns after being targeted by protesters, who said the fact that Matisyahu was performing for Israeli soldiers and pro-Israel groups in the United States United should disqualify him from performing.
Matisyahu is known for his peace anthem “One Day,” which he performed at the major pro-Israel rally in Washington, D.C., in November.
“While the true details surrounding this decision remain opaque and the responsible parties are all pointing fingers at each other over this decision; I can assure you that no threats of violence have been received by our security team who have been vigilant in knowing what is happening in each city,” Matisyahu wrote on his Instagram on Friday about the Chicago show .
Matisyahu said the venue paid him for the cancellation and would donate the proceeds to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum “to help the families of the hostages and in honor of International Women's Day to recognize the women and girls still held captive by Hamas. » and to the United Hatzalah Israel Emergency Medical Service.
Matisyahu has faced a series of cancellations and security concerns
In response to pro-Palestinian protests after cancellation of first two concerts, Jewish heavy metal musician David Draimanleader of the group Disturbed, organized a fundraiser to pay for Matisyahu's security costs.
“The consequences of such tactics go beyond me and the Jewish people,” Matisyahu wrote of the cancellation of the Chicago concert. “These individuals and the organizations that buckle under their pressure threaten the foundation of artistic expression, intellectual honesty, and empathy between people with different viewpoints and concerns. We will continue to do shows. And we will always stand against hatred and march toward the true goal of long-term peace for all.
Matisyahu faced protests even in places where his shows went ahead as planned. The artist's next scheduled performance will take place Saturday evening in Detroit, home to both large Jewish and Muslim communities and the epicenter of a growing political protest movement against the Biden administration's support for Israel.