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Chappelle’s Minneapolis performance was cancelled hours before it was scheduled.

Since the release of his Netflix special The Closer, comedian Dave Chappelle has become a controversial figure in the entertainment world. Some of the material in that performance has been deemed transphobic, drawing much outcry to Chappelle. However, as Chappelle values his freedom of expression in his material, he has not apologized for his set, insisting that he stands by it.

As a result of this, new bookings of Chappelle to appear for standup routines have drawn similar outcry, with the most recent example being this week. Chappelle was scheduled to perform at famous venue First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Wednesday, but only a few hours before his set, the venue announced that it had been cancelled and moved to another venue. This decision was made due to the intense backlash that followed the announcement of Chappelle’s performance online.

“To staff, artists and our community, we hear you and we are sorry. We know we must hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down. We are not just a black box with people in it, and we understand that First Ave is not just a room, but meaningful beyond our walls,” the statement reads. “The First Avenue team and you have worked hard to make our venues the safest spaces in the country, and we will continue with that mission. We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honoring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have.”

Venue cancels US comedian Dave Chappelle's show last minute over transgender jokes controversy https://t.co/Ze9GHaJLTx

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 21, 2022

During another Netflix special, What’s in a Name?, where Chappelle gave a speech at his alma mater, Chappelle discussed why his expression is so important to him, despite criticisms from students of the school. “When I heard those talking points coming out of these children’s faces, that really, sincerely, hurt me. Because I know those kids didn’t come up with those words. I’ve heard those words before. The more you say I can’t say something, the more urgent it is for me to say it,” Chappelle said. “And it has nothing to do with what you’re saying I can’t say. It has everything to do with my right, my freedom, of artistic expression. That is valuable to me. That is not severed from me. It’s worth protecting for me, and it’s worth protecting for everyone else who endeavors in our noble, noble professions.”