A Minnesota comedy club has abruptly canceled six sold-out performances by comedian Ben Bankas after a viral clip from his stand-up routine ignited outrage over jokes referencing a woman killed during an encounter with federal immigration authorities.
Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St. Paul canceled Bankas’ scheduled January 30 through February 1 shows following widespread backlash over comments he made about Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother of three who was shot and killed earlier this month by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The cancellations came after a clip of Bankas’ routine circulated widely online, drawing criticism and prompting plans for protests outside the venue.
The controversial clip, filmed during a January 13 performance in Poughkeepsie, New York, was posted to Instagram just days after Good’s death and has amassed millions of views. In the routine, Bankas mocked Good’s killing and used derogatory language, remarks that quickly spread across social media and drew condemnation from viewers.
Good was fatally shot on January 7 after authorities said she swerved her vehicle toward an ICE officer. Her death sparked protests in Minneapolis and other cities, intensifying scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement and use-of-force incidents. Tensions rose further later in the month after another individual, Alex Pretti, was shot and killed by federal agents in the Minneapolis area, prompting criticism from local leaders, including Mayor Jacob Frey.
As Bankas’ clip went viral, residents in St. Paul began signaling plans to protest outside his upcoming shows, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. In response, Laugh Camp Comedy Club opted to cancel the performances, citing safety concerns.
In a statement shared with People, club owner Bill Collins said the decision followed discussions with public authorities, legal counsel, and staff, as well as concerns about escalating threats, media attention, and the potential for civil disorder. Collins said the club lacked the resources to adequately mitigate the risks and prioritized the safety of guests, staff, and performers.
Collins later told the Star Tribune that the cancellations could cost the club approximately $17,000 in lost revenue. He also said Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which represents Bankas, is seeking full compensation for the canceled shows and has barred other CAA-represented clients from booking the venue until the dispute is resolved.
Bankas responded publicly to the cancellations in a video posted to Instagram, telling an audience he had learned his Minnesota shows were canceled and dismissing the decision. In the post’s caption, he wrote that he is working on securing a new venue and dates in Minnesota.
Born in Toronto and now based in Austin, Texas, Bankas hosts the YouTube program “The Tanakas Show,” which his website says reaches more than 10,000 monthly listeners each month.
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