Kit Roberts
A comedian has doubled down after a Minnesota venue cancelled his shows when he made a joke about Renee Good.
Renee, 37, was shot dead by an ICE agent in front of her wife as she tried to drive her car away from an ICE raid in Minneapolis.
Her death sparked a wave of protest and anger against ongoing ICE raids in Minnesota, with communities organizing to oppose the federal agency's operation in the state.
In a video of a comedy gig posted to social media, Ben Bankas referred to Renee as a 'dumb, crazy r****ded lesbian', said that he 'hated' her, and that 'she should have been shot 10 minutes before', as the audience appeared to revel in the set.
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Bankas went on to call Renne's widow a 'dog', and said: "That’s what you don’t want when you’re dealing with the police. Your lesbian wife [saying], ‘Drive baby drive.’
“Her last name was Good. That’s what I said after they shot her in the face."
He had also started the routine off with a mocking 'minute of silence' for Renee.
The set stoked anger, and the Minnesota Star and Tribune reported that several residents of St Paul had said they would stage protests at Bankas' performances.
Six upcoming sold-out shows in Minnesota were cancelled as a result.
Reacting to the news in another show, Bankas revealed he had demanded to be compensated for the cancelled shows, and said: “I just found out that my shows were canceled in Minnesota… Honestly, I don’t know why."
He added: “F*** ‘em", and accused the venue of 'p****ing out.'
Bill Collins owns the Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St Paul, Minnesota, and explained to PEOPLE why he cancelled the shows, which were scheduled between January 30 and February 1.
“After discussions with, and concern from, public authorities, legal counsel and staff, combined with heightened threats, increasing media attention and civil disorder, we have determined the risks and related liabilities cannot be overcome," he said.
He added: "A small club like ours does not have the needed resources to mitigate current risks.
“We are obligated to place the highest priority on the safety of our guests, staff, and talent, and we are left with no option but to cancel.
“The risks to our community, staff, and guests are too great."
Blankas, who has featured on far-right platforms such as Infowars, is represented by the Creative Artists Agency, who have reportedly told Collins per the Minnesota Star and Tribune that they will not let any of their clients perform at his venue until the matter is resolved.