Bill Cosby To Be Protested By Women’s Group At Ontario Show

Bill Cosby’s comedy show on January 8 at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, is set to go forward, but not without a hitch. Protesters plan to hold a demonstration and heckle the comedian.

Megan Walker, executive director of London Abused Women’s Centre, tells CTV she is spearheading a protest to occur outside the venue at 6 p.m. on the night of the show.

“We will be out in huge numbers protesting with signs and banners and making lots of noise.”

According to the Wrap, Walker’s protest is not about Bill Cosby being guilty of any of the allegations made against him over the past couple of months, but more about supporting the women who have come forward to make accusations that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted them.

“Nobody is saying you’re guilty and you’re going to jail. What we’re saying is we believe women — we believe what you’re saying and we’re going to stand in solidarity with you and try to take some action to prevent this alleged serial rapist from coming to London, Ontario.”

Walker says people who are trying to get a refund for the tickets they purchased before the sexual assault allegations against Cosby became known are having a hard time getting refunds or selling the tickets. Walker suggests people still use the tickets to heckle the comedian before he gets on stage.

London’s mayor, Matt Brown, has released a statement, saying that while he has the same concerns as the public about Bill Cosby performing at Budweiser Gardens amidst the recent rape allegations, there is really nothing he can do to stop the show.

“I have looked into it and learned, as is the case with several other entertainment venues in Ontario, the promoter or operator is responsible for its contracts with those scheduled to perform and only they can cancel a show.”

Deputy Mayor Paul Hubert says that while the city may not be able to cancel the contract, there is something the public can do to voice their displeasure.

“The city has no involvement and nothing to do with that contract, nor can we interfere with that contract… [Londoners] have the right not to go to that show and to protest it outside of Budweiser Gardens if that’s their desire.”

Although criminal charges have not been filed against Bill Cosby, over 20 women have come forward claiming the comedian sexually assaulted them. Most recently, Sammy Davis, Jr.’s ex-girlfriend, Katherine McKee, claimed Cosby raped her in a hotel room in the 70s while she was on one of Davis’s tours.

[Image via Flickr]