THUNDER BAY – Protests outside Hedley shows have become one of the hallmarks of the embattled Canadian band’s latest cross-country tour.
Under fire for allegations of sexual misconduct made against lead singer Jacob Hoggard, demonstrators have shown up in droves at venues where the band is playing.
The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium will be no different.
On its Facebook page, the Gender Equity Centre is encouraging protestors to show up and voice their concerns.
The protest is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at the off-leash dog park.
“Feel free to bring posters and signs. There will be buttons, leaflets and other material about consent available for concertgoers,” the post reads.
Hoggard, in a statement posted to Twitter in February, denied engaging in non-consensual sexual behaviour, but did say the way he's treated women was reckless and dismissive of their feelings.
“I understand the significant harm that is caused not only to the women I interacted with, but to all women who are degraded by this type of behaviour,” he said. “I Have been careless and indifferent and I have no excuse. For that I am truly sorry.”
An Ottawa woman accused the 33-year-old frontman of raping her after the two met via the dating app Tinder.
No charges have been filed against Hoggard or other members of Hedley in relation to any of the allegations.
Those allegations including unwanted sexual groping, including from women who claim they were as young as 14 when the alleged incidents took place.
The band is scheduled to take an indefinite hiatus after the current tour ends.
The Hedley show was originally scheduled for Fort William Gardens, but the band said technical issues made it necessary to move the concert to the 1,500-seat Auditorium. A scheduled concert at a Windsor casino was cancelled because of the controversy and the band’s Juno performance was also kyboshed.
Ticket refunds are being offered to those who no longer wish to attend, and those with tickets who do choose to go to the show will be seated by zone, based on ticket price paid, on a first-come, first-served basis.
