John Hinckley Jr.’s concert in Brooklyn was scheduled to feature the music of the man best known for trying to kill the US President, but was canceled by the venue on Wednesday. , Reactionary climate. “
Hinkley, 67, who shot and killed President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and was acquitted for madness, has been living in Virginia under restrictions since 2016, but was released unconditionally on Wednesday. Was recognized. Hinckley plans to use the release to mount what he calls a “redemption tour” and play his original music at venues across the country.
However, the plan ran into some obstacles as the venue was updated with his upcoming concerts, including the Market Hotel, a concert hall in Brooklyn’s Bushwick district. Social media On Wednesday, it said it would cancel Mr. Hinckley’s July 8 performance.
“It’s not worth betting the safety of our vulnerable community. Getting a mic and a salary from his art doesn’t have to get it, doesn’t bother at the artistic level, and is upset. Dangerous. People with a reactionary climate that has become so radical. “
The venue seemed to regret and announce the decision, saying, “This man does no harm to anyone in a practical way.”
“This is a sexual genarian with an acoustic guitar,” the venue said. The statement further believed that ex-scammers and people with mental illness should have the opportunity to “completely return to society,” but “a very realistic and deteriorating threat and our vulnerable. After reflecting on the hatred he faced, he made the decision. ” community. “
In 2020, a federal judge in Washington published his writings, artwork, and music in his name after Mr. Hinckley complained to the court that he had to post his music anonymously online. I have ruled that I can start displaying on. Since then, Hinckley has uploaded original songs and cover videos to his YouTube channel, which has more than 28,000 subscribers.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, Hinckley said the tour was the first to play his original song live and understood concerns about the safety of the venue, but was disappointed with the cancellation. Stated.
“I watch the news like everyone else. To be honest, we live in a very scary time,” Hinckley said. “If I felt safe at the show and the audience was safe, I would have continued the show.”
Hinkley’s lawyer, Barry Levine, wrote in an email that he agreed to a cancellation decision because of the “increased threat” that could endanger Hinkley and his attendees.
However, Hinckley said the promoter he worked with was looking for a new venue in New York City. The venues in Chicago and Hamden, Connecticut, which were previously scheduled for performances by Mr. Hinckley, have also canceled the concert.
In 1981, after watching the movie “Taxi Driver,” in which the protagonist plans to assassinate a presidential candidate, Hinckley said he planned to kill Reagan in order to impress Jodie Foster. He waited for Mr. Reagan to give a speech outside Washington Hilton on March 30, 1981, and fired six bullets when the president left the hotel. The shot struck the president. White House Press Secretary James S. Brady. Secret service agent Timothy J. McCarthy. Thomas K. Delahanti, police officer. Brady died of an injury in 2014.
Hinckley has been sent to a mental hospital in Washington for over 20 years. The judge set the final June 15 release date without restrictions after discovering that Mr. Hinckley met several conditions, including mental stability.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute have emerged in opposition to Mr. Hinckley’s unconditional release, and the organization said, “John Hinckley Jr. will soon be released unconditionally and pursue a musical career. I’m sad and worried about something. ” For profit. “
Patti Davis, one of Reagan’s daughters, opposes lifting restrictions on Mr. Hinckley and writes in an editorial. Washington post Last year she was afraid that “a man who wants to swing the gun and assassinate the president may decide to contact me.”
But Hinckley’s supporters see an important message in society that allows him to perform publicly after decades of rehab.
“This is what the world has to see and is the ability to rehabilitate,” said Andreas Syltas, a California podcaster who supports Hinckley’s music. “For some reason his spirit is still there and has a positive impact on the music.”
Levine said in an email that his client wants the public to understand that he has changed since the 1980s.
“He knows his name is related to acts of violence, but when he did those acts, well-meaning people said he was devastated by a mental illness that was no longer suffering. I hope you understand .. “.
