Controversial Comedian Ben Bankas Moves Kitchener Shows After Backlash

Controversial comedian Ben Bankas has relocated his upcoming shows in Kitchener following backlash over his recent comments. Bankas, who is originally from Toronto and currently resides in the United States, faced significant criticism after a comedy routine went viral. In this routine, he made remarks regarding the shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother from Minneapolis, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on January 7, 2024.

The backlash resulted in the cancellation of six shows in Minnesota, with venues citing “heightened threats, increasing media attention and civil disorder.” According to CBC News, the Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St. Paul, where Bankas was scheduled to perform, cancelled several events due to the negative response. In his defense, Bankas posted a video claiming that the cancellations were prompted by a complaint from a viewer, stating, “the club got a weird voicemail from a liberal.”

Bankas has expressed his determination to continue his tour, stating on Instagram, “I’ll never stop being me.” His Ontario tour includes multiple performances, including two sold-out shows at Yuk Yuk’s in Toronto on March 7, 2024. Following his dates in Toronto, he is scheduled to perform in Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Cavan, and Niagara Falls before heading to Alberta.

The Kitchener shows, originally set for the city-owned Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, have been moved to Elements Night Club, located just a block away from the initial venue. A spokesperson for the City of Kitchener confirmed to CBC News that ticket holders have been informed of the venue change but did not specify the reasons behind it.

Calls for the city to cancel Bankas’s shows have emerged, with critics arguing that allowing him to perform in a city-owned facility could be interpreted as an endorsement of his controversial views. Elements Night Club has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the change of venue.

As the situation develops, Bankas continues to draw attention, both for his provocative humor and for the reactions it elicits. His performances in Kitchener are set for March 7, with shows at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m..