A virtual celebration to honor Broadway is being postponed due to the nationwide unrest over police brutality against black Americans.
Broadway On Demand had scheduled a fundraising special for Sunday night which was put together in place of this year’s Tony Awards, but is now delaying the celebration ‘in solidarity with Black Lives Matter,’ according to Deadline.
Sunday was originally the night that the 2020 Tony Awards were set to air but they had been previously postponed due to the coronavirus.
Taking a stand: Broadway On Demand had scheduled a fundraising special for Sunday night which was put together in place of this year’s Tony Awards, but is now delaying the celebration ‘in solidarity with Black Lives Matter,’ according to Deadline
Broadway On Demand CEO and President Sean Cercone released a statement explaining their decision not to move forward with the show.
‘We are collectively saddened and angered by the senseless murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor and disheartened by the ongoing racism and injustices that continue to permeate our society,’ the statement began.
Cercone said that his organization does not ‘tolerate hate, racism, injustice or bigotry’ and called the violence against black citizens ‘inexcusable.’
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down business, Broadway On Demand was launched May 17 to stream events like concerts, shows and classes online.
‘We are collectively saddened and angered by the senseless murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor and disheartened by the ongoing racism and injustices that continue to permeate our society,’ the statement began. ‘We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.’ (George Floyd, pictured)
‘We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter,’ Broadway On Demand’s statement continued. ‘This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history and our priorities at this time are to listen, to engage in meaningful dialogue and to do our best to enact real change in our industry and in our nation.’
The special, which replaced the time slot of the Tony Awards, was originally put together to raise money for the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.
‘We truly believe theater has the power to educate, inspire, develop empathy, bridge cultural divides and ultimately unite under the banner of humanity,’ Cercone added.
‘That is why it is of the utmost importance that the programs we deliver adhere to these beliefs and reflect the world in which we live.’
Stage to screen: The special, which replaced the time slot of the Tony Awards, was originally put together to raise money for the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League and would have streamed on the recently launched Broadway On Demand network
Deadline reported that this is the third Broadway cancellation or postponement due to the unrest around the nation.
New York’s Drama Desk Awards were postponed indefinitely as well as the virtual We Are One Public gala put on by New York’s Public Theater.
Last week, protests broke out in dozens of cities across America following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes.
Floyd died on May 25, after a convenience store clerk called police and claimed he paid with a counterfeit $20 bill and that he was ‘drunk’ and ‘not in control of himself.’
Black Lives Matter: The postponement comes after protests broke out in dozens of cities across America last week following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes
Two police officers arrived on the scene, where Floyd was in his car outside the store. Officer Thomas Lane drew his gun and pointed it at Floyd, while telling him to show his hands, though no reason has been given so far as to why Lane’s firearm was drawn
After being handcuffed, Floyd was seen being compliant on bystander videos, though the police claim he began resisting arrest as the tried to put him in the police car.
The police report claims that Floyd then ‘stiffened up, fell to the ground, and told the officers he was claustrophobic.’
Heartbreak: Floyd repeated ‘I can’t breathe’ over and over while also begging for his mother and his words have become a rallying cry for activists protesting violence against black Americans
More police officers, including Derek Chauvin, arrived on the scene for backup, and Chauvin pulled Floyd out of the car, causing him to hit the ground, according to the report.
While he was facedown and still handcuffed, other officers restrained him as Chauvin put his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Floyd repeated ‘I can’t breathe’ over and over while also begging for his mother and saying, ‘please, please, please.’
Taking to the streets: Protests erupted nationwide – many of which peaceful – however, some turned violent with rampant looting
After six minutes, he stopped breathing and became unresponsive, but Chauvin stayed on his neck for another two minutes, all while bystanders filming the altercation shouted for him to step off.
His killing sparked outrage in Minneapolis that soon spread across the country with thousands taking to the streets to protest racist police brutality. Many of the protests were peaceful, however some turned violent with rampant looting.
As a result, 40 cities imposed mandatory curfews, 11 states called in the National Guard for support and thousands were arrested.
More protests are scheduled for Monday.
Getting their message heard: 40 cities imposed mandatory curfews, 11 states called in the National Guard for support and thousands were arrested but more protests are scheduled for Monday