BUJU BANTON - BANTON CONCERT CANCELLED AFTER GAY PROTESTS

BANTON CONCERT CANCELLED AFTER GAY PROTESTS

Reggae artist BUJU BANTON's concert in Brighton, England tonight (05JUL06) has been cancelled after pressure from local gay groups. Jamaican Banton courted controversy in 1992 with his homophobic hit BOOM BYE BYE which advocated the killing of homosexuals. Residents, council members and the police in Britain's gay capital have joined forces to bar him from performing. A spokesperson for venue Concorde 2, which is in the heart of Brighton's gay district, says, "Due to unprecedented pressure from the council, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community and the police, Concorde 2 have been left with no choice other than to cancel. "Concorde 2 are concerned that by staging this event they will have their licence revoked and could have their premises closed down. "This follows a letter and subsequent phone calls from the council outlining their licensing objectives."