U2_-_Bono

Bono releases statement on U2 St. Louis show cancellation

Bono released a statement on Instagram today after potential safety concerns forced the cancellation of U2's St. Louis show, set to take place Saturday night. 

Read his statement in full below.

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On Friday, former police officer Jason Stockley was found not guilty of murder in the 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith. Stockley was accused of planting a gun at the scene of the crime in order to claim self-defense. Upon the announcement of the verdict, protests were made throughout the city. By Friday night, the protests had become violent with nine officers injured and over 32 people arrested. 

U2 and Live Nation released a statement via the U2 website Saturday morning stating that they were informed that local crowd security personnel would not be at full capacity.

“In light of this information, we cannot in good conscience risk our fans’ safety by proceeding with tonight’s concert. As much as we regret having to cancel, we feel it is the only acceptable course of action in the current environment.” 

Bono took to Instagram to share with fans how “deepy saddened” he was over what was happening in St. Louis, and for the need to cancel the show. 

“Deeply saddened at what has happened in St. Louis and having to cancel our show tonight….I found myself reading Dr. King’s speech from the National Cathedral and asking myself is this 1968 or 2017?”

Bono then shared this quote from Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech:

“Human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability….we are coming to ask America to be true to the huge promissory note that it signed years ago. And we are coming to engage in dramatic nonviolent action, to call attention to the gulf between promise and fulfillment; to make the invisible visible.”

Fans will be given full refunds for tickets purchased to the show. 

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