Citing the current unrest in Ferguson, Fox has opted to forgo the scheduled Tuesday stop of its “Empire” bus tour in nearby St. Louis, reports Billboard.
The decision was reportedly made at the 11th hour on Monday night. The show announced that its “Next Empire Artist” bus tour will instead take place in Kansas City, beginning Wednesday.
The bus was scheduled to stop at Ballpark Village, across the street from Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. As previously reported, the bus features a recording studio where fans can record their own versions of “Empire” hits. The 15-date tour also gives singers a chance to win a cameo on the show.
No word yet on whether the bus will make a return visit to St. Louis at a later date. After Kansas City, the Empire tour will carry on to Dallas, New Orleans and Nashville.
The announcement came shortly after officials in St. Louis County declared a state of emergency following a violent night of unrest in Ferguson on the one-year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death. At least three people were wounded in gunfire late Sunday. On Monday, dozens of protesters — including activist Cornel West — were arrested outside the Thomas Eagleton Federal Courthouse a short walk from Ballpark Village, and later another large group of activists were arrested after blocking both directions of Interstate 70 near the Missouri River.
Like BlackAmericaWeb.com on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
(Photo Source: Empire Twitter)
