Tonya Pinkins-Helmed BROADWAY SUPPORTS BLACK LIVES MATTER Concert Cancelled at Feinstein's/54 Below

BROADWAY SUPPORTS BLACK LIVES MATTER, a concert directed by Tonya Pinkins originally to be held on September 11, 2016 at Feinstein's/54 Below, has been cancelled due to the venue's conflict with part of Black Lives Matter's platform.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that participants in the event received the following email from Feinstein's/54 Below:

"The owners and managers of [Feinstein's/54 Below] strongly believe in and support the general thrust of the goals and objectives of BLM. However, since announcing the benefit they've become aware of a recent addition to the BLM platform that accuses Israel of genocide and endorses a range of boycott and sanction actions.

"Feinstein's/54 Below would have preferred to hold the concert in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, without endorsing or appearing to endorse the entirety of the Black Lives Matter organization and its platform but we've found that a distinction impossible for us to effect.

"As we can't support these positions, we've accordingly decided to cancel the concert. We're sorry about this unfortunate situation which has not dimmed our commitment to supporting social justice."

This evening was slated to feature artists of color's original songs dedicated to and inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Broadway performers sharing songs in the spirit of the event, and activists educating about the scope of the problems we face and how to promote positive change.

The evening would have included performers Lilli Cooper, Eisa Davis, Andre De Shields, Michael R. Jackson, Marcus Scott, Darius Smith, Brynn Williams, AAPF- Say Her Name Organization, a representative from the New York chapter of Black Lives Matter, and more.

Broadway Supports Black Lives Matter was put together by Felicia Fitzpatrick, Michael R. Jackson, and Jennifer Ashley Tepper, with consultation by Frank Leon Roberts and Adrienne Warren for the Broadway for Black Lives Matter Collective.

Proceeds from the concert would have been contributed to Black Lives Matter.