*Jay-Z’s annual Made in America festival will not be taking place this year due to the coronavirus, and increasing civil unrest over systematic racism and police brutality.
The annual event is typically held in Philadelphia over Labor Day weekend, but has officially been canceled due to the parallel pandemics that have grappled the nation.
The festival will be rescheduled for 2021, Urban Hollywood 411 reports.
“2020 is a year like no other,” a statement issued on Made in America’s website and social media channels began. “We are in a pivotal time in this nation’s history. Collectively, we are fighting parallel pandemics, Covid-19, systematic racism and police brutality. Now is the time to protect the health of our artists, fans, partners and community as well as focus on our support for organizations and individuals fighting for social justice and equality in our country. Therefore, the Made In America festival will be rescheduled for Labor Day Weekend 2021.”
An update on the 2020 Made In America festival.
Let’s focus our support on organizations and individuals fighting for social justice and equality in our country.
We look forward to seeing you next year. pic.twitter.com/XQv5xIWren— Made In America Festival (@MIAFestival) July 1, 2020
“Please hold on to your tickets, as they will be valid for next year, and we will be sharing additional information as it becomes available, via our website and social media,” the statement continued. “If anyone would prefer a refund, an email will be sent to request one. For any further ticket inquiries, please reach out to the point of purchase.”
Made In America joins Southwest (SXSW), Lollapalooza, Summerfest, Glastonbury and Coachella as the latest music festival to cancel its 2020 agenda over coronavirus concerns.
In related news, Jay-Z’s social justice organization Team Roc is calling for the prosecution of Wisconsin police officer Joseph Mensah, who has killed three Black men over five years, per Complex.
Team Roc took out a full-page ad in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Thursday, calling on District Attorney John Chisholm to fire the officer and hold him accountable.
“How many more people must die at the hands of Officer Joseph Mensah?” the ad begins. “Since joining the Wauwatosa Police Department in 2015, Mensah has shot and killed THREE men of color—Alvin Cole, Antonio Gonzales and Jay Anderson—with an excessive total of NINETEEN fired shots. His actions demonstrate an utter disregard for the lives of these young men.”
Check out the ad below:
.@DAJohnChisholm How many more people must die at the hands of Officer Joseph Mensah? Mensah has recklessly shot and killed THREE men of color, inexplicably failed to enable his dash camera, and failed to render medical aid during these tragic instances. Prosecute him. pic.twitter.com/GeasJbN9Ez
— Team Roc (@teamroc) July 2, 2020
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