Fourth sponsor drops support for Chris Brown concert
Posted Jul 16, 2013 06:35:47 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A fourth sponsor has announced it’s pulling support for the Aug. 31 concert headlining controversial R&B and hip-hop singer Chris Brown.
Touch of Radiance, Molson Coors and the Centre for Arts and Technology joined Rogers on Monday in deciding they didn’t want to be associated with the artist who assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.
The voices of those who don’t want Brown to come to HRM remain strong, and Brown’s history of domestic violence is especially troubling to people who deal with those kinds of incidents every day.
Irene Smith with the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre told News 95.7 it’s encouraging that people are taking a stand and speaking out.
“The mayor, Mike Savage, expressed concern himself,” she said. “I think it’s important when leaders in our community demonstrate a commitment to dealing with issues of violence against women and girls.”
That goes for potential sponsors as well.
“I think it’s wonderful to see these groups removing their names from this event and I think it’s a testament to their commitment to end violence against women,” said Smith.
Smith said it’s hard to guess whether or not there would be protests and demonstrations outside the show if Brown did come to town.
“Perhaps many people would not attend the event in a demonstration to show some concern for violence against women,” she explained. “I do think we need to be mindful of the kind of messages we’re sending to young women and girls.”
Mayor Mike Savage said it’s unlikely the municipality can do anything to stop the show.
“But we can ensure Halifax doesn’t do anything to support the concert and I can’t imagine that we would; I certainly wouldn’t support it,” he said. “It troubles me that Chris Brown would come to our city. I don’t think he’s a good role model for people and I quite frankly wish he wasn’t coming.”
That seems like a distinct possibility now. On Monday, a Los Angeles judge revoked Brown’s probation for his 2009 assault, after reviewing a May incident when the artist was charged in relation to a hit-and-run.
Another hearing is set for Aug. 16, when Brown could end up being sent to jail for four years. However, local promoters say all the proper paperwork has already been filed, and Brown’s management team is confident he’ll be free to make the trip north to perform.
