A comedian faced backlash after a venue in Minnesota canceled his performances due to a controversial joke he made about Renee Good. Renee, 37, was fatally shot by an ICE agent while she was attempting to escape an ICE raid in Minneapolis, an incident that ignited widespread protests against such operations in the state.
During a comedy set, Ben Bankas made disparaging comments about Renee, calling her a “dumb, crazy r****ded lesbian” and expressing that he “hated” her. He also suggested that “she should have been shot 10 minutes before.” The crowd responded positively to his remarks. Bankas continued by referring to Renee’s widow derogatorily and joked about the situation involving the police.
“Her last name was Good. That’s what I said after they shot her in the face,” Bankas added. He had also begun his routine with a mocking “minute of silence” for Renee.
The routine provoked outrage, and according to the Minnesota Star and Tribune, some St Paul residents intended to protest at Bankas’ shows. Consequently, six sold-out performances were canceled.
In response to the cancellations during another show, Bankas expressed his frustration and sought compensation for the lost gigs, stating, “I just found out that my shows were canceled in Minnesota… Honestly, I don’t know why.” He further criticized the venue.
Bill Collins, owner of the Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St Paul, shared with PEOPLE the reasoning behind the cancellations, originally planned for January 30 to February 1. He explained that concerns from public authorities, legal advice, and safety threats made it impossible to proceed with the events.
Collins emphasized the club’s limited resources to address the current risks, prioritizing the safety of everyone involved. Given these considerations, the decision was made to cancel the shows, citing the excessive risks facing the community.
Bankas, known for appearing on far-right platforms like Infowars, is represented by Creative Artists Agency. The agency reportedly informed Collins that they would not allow any of their clients to perform at his venue until the situation is addressed, as per the Minnesota Star and Tribune.