A Minnesota comedy venue has canceled six sold-out performances by comedian Ben Bankas following widespread backlash over videos showing him mocking the death of Renee Good, a woman who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer earlier this month.
The shows, scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Laugh Camp Comedy Club in downtown St. Paul, were canceled due to “heightened threats, increasing media attention, and civil disorder,” according to a statement by the club’s owner, Bill Collins. All ticket holders are being refunded. Collins explained that as a small venue, the club lacked the necessary resources to manage the security risks posed by the controversy. “We are obligated to place the highest priority on the safety of our guests, staff, and talent and are left with no option but to cancel,” he said.
The controversy began after Bankas, a Canadian comedian, performed two shows on January 9 and 10 at Laugh It Up Comedy Club in Poughkeepsie, New York, just days after Good’s death in Minneapolis on January 7. During his sets, Bankas made a series of remarks about Good’s death, including joking about her last name. In one clip, he stated, “Her last name was Good. That’s what I said after they shot her.” He also used a derogatory slur about Good’s partner and suggested she should have been shot sooner. These clips quickly went viral, amassing hundreds of thousands of views across Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit, sparking outrage among social media users.
In addition to the initial videos, further clips surfaced showing Bankas interacting with the situation in ways many deemed disrespectful. One video posted on Instagram Stories shows him appearing to mock the tragedy while speaking to an audience, while another TikTok clip — now removed — depicted him throwing money on a representation of the deceased, further fueling public anger.
Following the backlash, Bankas addressed the situation in a Facebook video, expressing frustration over the canceled Minnesota shows. He stated he was upset that he could not perform for what he described as “normal” and “good” people in Minnesota, though he did not directly apologize for his earlier comments. At the time of reporting, he had not responded to requests for comment from news outlets, including NBC News.
The cancellation underscores the challenges comedy venues face when performers push boundaries or make controversial statements, particularly when they intersect with real-world tragedies. Laugh Camp Comedy Club cited both public safety and the well-being of staff and patrons as guiding factors in their decision, emphasizing that the small size of the venue left it unable to handle potential protests or threats.
Bankas’ comments come amid heightened sensitivity to incidents of police and ICE-related fatalities, and his comedic approach has been widely criticized as insensitive and offensive. Social media users condemned the remarks, calling for accountability and, in some cases, for the comedian to be permanently banned from performing in public venues. Public sentiment reflected a growing demand for performers to exercise judgment when addressing real-life tragedies in their material.
Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, sparking mourning and controversy over the circumstances surrounding her death. While investigations into the incident continue, her death has already had far-reaching effects on the community and on public discourse surrounding law enforcement actions. The backlash against Bankas highlights how quickly social media can amplify controversial content and generate immediate consequences for public figures.
Despite the controversy, Bankas has maintained an active social media presence, where he has previously built a following based on his stand-up routines and comedic content. However, the viral videos have created a significant public relations challenge, leading to venue cancellations and intense scrutiny.
The incident also raises questions about the limits of comedy and the responsibilities of performers, especially when their content touches on real-life tragedies that affect individuals and communities. Industry observers note that while comedy often seeks to challenge norms, there is growing recognition that humor targeting victims of recent tragedies can have profound negative repercussions.
As of now, all six canceled shows at Laugh Camp Comedy Club have been officially removed from the schedule, and refunds are being processed for ticket holders. The club and local authorities have not reported any further disruptions, though the situation remains closely watched by the public and the comedy community.
In summary, Ben Bankas’ canceled Minnesota shows illustrate the swift consequences that can arise when social media amplifies controversial behavior. The comedian’s decision to make jokes about Renee Good’s death has provoked national attention, raised ethical questions about comedy boundaries, and ultimately led to the cancellation of performances out of concern for public safety.
