Detroit Club Shuts Down After Racist Tweet Controversy

[NelsonG]

Populux, a venue in Detroit, has closed its doors for the immediate future, according to The Detroit News. The owners have launched an investigation into who posted a pair of racist messages to its Twitter account today. According to a spokesperson for Majestic Theatre, the complex where the venue resides, Populux will be closed “at least a week” while the investigation takes place. The owners have filed complaints with the F.B.I. and the local internet crimes task force in an attempt to identify the perpetrator.

After the tweets went live, the venue faced immediate backlash from locals and artists, including Vic Mensa, who said he was canceling a scheduled performance at the venue due to the tweets. Other musicians followed suit. The messages were then deleted, and followed by an apology in which Populux claimed it had been hacked. The venue's Twitter and Facebook accounts have been taken down in the aftermath. RiFF RAFF was also scheduled to perform at Populux later this month. 

Will not be performing at @PopuluxDetroit on #BackWithAVengeance due to the racist comments they tweeted yesterday. pic.twitter.com/6IUyYzEly2

— still alive (@VicMensa) July 8, 2016

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