West Kelowna Cancels MAGA Musician’s Concert Over Safety Fears

URGENT UPDATE: The City of West Kelowna, B.C., has just announced the cancellation of a highly controversial concert featuring American musician and MAGA supporter Sean Feucht. Scheduled for Saturday at Memorial Park, city officials cited significant safety concerns as the reason for the abrupt decision.

City Chief Administrative Officer Ron Bowles confirmed the cancellation, stating, “We reached out to both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and West Kelowna Fire and Rescue. The proponents did submit a safety and security plan, but it did not meet the public safety requirements for this venue.” Officials were concerned that the event could attract up to 2,000 attendees, alongside an anticipated 1,000 protesters.

The decision follows a growing pattern, as West Kelowna is not alone in its rejection of Feucht’s tour. Earlier this year, the city of Abbotsford also denied him a permit, although that concert was later relocated to private land.

On social media, Feucht responded to the cancellation with defiance, sharing a local news post and commenting, “Public safety concerns strike again — we will not be deterred.” His unwavering stance highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding his performances, which have drawn criticism for his views against abortion rights, COVID-19 restrictions, and the LGBTQ2 community.

The permit denial has sparked strong reactions within the community. Wilbur Turner, president of Advocacy Canada, remarked, “Having the permit cancelled is just a sign of solidarity with the community at large — that we don’t promote and we don’t accept having hateful messages in our public spaces.” This sentiment reflects the broader community concerns regarding the impact of Feucht’s messages.

Additionally, organizers of a counter-rally titled Love Over Hate, planned to coincide with the concert, have also canceled their event in light of the concert’s cancellation. “We don’t accept the message that’s being put forward against our community,” Turner added.

As of now, it remains unclear if Feucht will seek to find private land in West Kelowna to proceed with the concert, as city officials noted that the matter may be out of their jurisdiction.

This developing story continues to resonate within the community and beyond, raising questions about public safety, freedom of expression, and the impact of controversial figures in public spaces. Stay tuned for further updates as this situation unfolds.