Rogers cancels sponsorship after Halifax residents protest Chris Brown concert

A chorus of boos has sprung up in Halifax, where plans to have Chris Brown headline an upcoming concert have courted controversy.

On Friday it was announced that the volatile R&B star is set to perform on Aug. 31 at the Energy Rush event in Alderney Landing. Not surprisingly, the plans have created a backlash from the public over the singer’s past incidents.

Brown was sentenced to five years of probation and six months of community service for assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 and despite making a return to the charts (and even winning a Grammy in 2012), has regularly courted controversy ever since.

“It makes me kind of sick, to be honest with you, that someone like this will be performing in Halifax,” said Mayor Mike Savage in response to the news. “Those of us who are in public life – I’m in public life, he’s in public life – you have to be responsible for your past actions, and I think it sends a very, very wrong message to everybody.”

Nova Scotians took to social media sites to share in their Mayor’s outrage at the announcement, even setting up an online petition against Brown's performance.

The controversy continued on Saturday when long-term sponsor Rogers decided to withdraw their support for the event. The media giant, who have been involved with Energy Rush for the past seven years, took to Twitter saying: “Rogers agreed to sponsor Energy Rush prior to Chris Brown's choice as a performer.” They then added: “In light of today's announcement, we're withdrawing out sponsorship of the event.”

Drop Entertainment, the promoters behind the concert, have defended the decision to have Brown play. A Statement from the company said that they do not condone the singers’ actions and that there are still thousands of people in the Maritimes who are excited to see the 24-year-old perform.

Chris Brown’s camp has also responded to the controversy. “It’s a shame that some people are so short-sighted and uninformed.” One of his reps is quoted as saying. “Chris is an award-winning artist whose goal is to inspire and entertain…Chris strives to learn from his past and to grow as a person, as we should all do. Chris is looking forward to being a part of the Energy Rush Concert Series.”

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