Butler native Bret Michaels is the latest artist to pull out of a planned celebration on the Washington Mall in D.C. of America’s 250th birthday.
Other scheduled performers Young MC, the Commodores, Martina McBride, and Morris Day and the Time have also pulled out of the event.
Artists, including the Poison lead singer they were told they would be performing during a patriotic music festival but fears of partisanship have caused some artists to pull out.
The Freedom 250 concert was described as a “national, non-partisan organization leading the celebration of our Nation’s 250th birthday.”
McBride wrote that she had agreed to play after she “was assured this was a nonpartisan event.”
“Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening,” she said.
Michaels took to Instagram and said, “when this opportunity was originally presented to my team, it was described as a celebration of our country through music and a chance to honor our veterans, active military, first responders, teachers and hardworking Americans from all walks of life. As the son of a veteran, and coming from a family that was proudly served, that is something I have always been honored to support,” said Michaels.
“Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of.”
Michaels also pointed out safety concerns that include “threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable.”
As of Friday morning, Flo Rida and Vanilla Ice are still slated to perform during the event scheduled from June 25 - July 10.The Butler native cited safety concerns and divisiveness
The Butler native cited safety concerns and divisiveness
