PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Rich Mackin performance cancelled
by Emma Tuesday, Apr. 01, 2003 at 6:42 PM
info@1877.org

Official statement from 1877 on the cancellation of the Rich Mackin show

In solidarity with sexual assault survivors everywhere, we, the community of 1877, have decided to cancel Rich Mackin's performance scheduled for Wednesday April second. We apologize to anyone who has been offended or feels disrepected by the previous decision to allow Mackin to perform. At the time the decision was made we were underinformed about the situation. Upon receiving additional information about the rape charges an emergency meeting was called, at which concensus was reached to cancel Rich Mackin's show. In reference to our mission statement,"Project 1877 is a haven for all people in Pittsburgh working toward progressive social change. It's a community space that connects activists of all classes, races, sexualities, genders and beliefs," Rich Mackin would never have been invited to perform.

Although previous to this event, Rich Mackin did not have negative interactions with individuals here, this was obviously not the case in Boston. Unfortunately we were not made aware of the assaults until recently. In the spirit of mutual aid and communication we intend to make this statement available to all the other spaces in which Rich Mackin intends to perform.

Unfortunately even in the most progressive communities there are sexual predators. It is our responsibility as a community to take action in creating a safe environment for everyone. We do so by not allowing individuals to perform that have been detrimental to their communities and the progressive community as a whole.

We thank the survivors of the assaults. Your courage in speaking out has caused us to address the prevention of sexual assault within our community. We hold Rich Mackin accountable for his actions though he has yet to take resposibility.

Instead of Rich Mackin's performance, a discussion and workshop dealing with sexual predators within our community will be held at 7:30 at Project 1877. Thank you for your time and we hope to see you there.

OUR CONTACT INFO:
Project 1877 - http://www.1877.org -
(412)363-1877
4805 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Sexual assault contact info:
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network
http://www.RAINN.org 1-800-656-HOPE



Pittsburgh Action Against Rape
http://www.PAAR.net
24 Hour Hotline 1-866-END-RAPE

Pittsburgh office (412)431-2576

www.1877.org

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