Self-described anti-fascists have prompted the cancellation of a music festival show at a Plaza St. Hubert venue in Little Italy, after dozens of demonstrators stormed the Théâtre Plaza on Saturday night and demanded the black metal band Graveland not play their set.
The Polish band had been scheduled to perform as part of the Messe des Morts music festival at the Theatre Plaza on Saturday.
The band has drawn criticism for the National Socialist political views of singer Robert “Rob Darken” Fudali -- which he has admitted to holding appreciation for in the past.
In 1998, the Southern Poverty Law Center described Graveland as a "racist Polish band" in an article on "extreme-right rock ‘n’ roll bands [that] are infiltrating the “black metal” music scene in a bid to recruit youth to white supremacist causes."
Germany has also outlawed the sale of four of Graveland’s albums, as of 2008, deeming them “unsafe for youth.”
As protesters were marching outside the venue doors, chanting demands for Graveland to not play their set, the show's promoter announced online the show would not go on.
"For safety reasons, we are forced to cancel tonight’s concert," reads an announcement from the Messe des Morts festival. "Know that the Theatre Plaza’s administration, as well as the Messe des Morts’ organisation have put every effort to find another conclusion."
"Despite this announcement, we invite you to go back home calmly and to show the same respect you have shown since the festivals’ debut."
For a time, St. Hubert St. north of Bellechasse was closed because of the protest.