As of press time, a candlelight vigil was set to take place outside 4th & B Wednesday evening at 7:45 p.m. in protest of anti-gay reggae artist Buju Banton’s performance here in San Diego. Banton, who graphically advocates killing gays in the lyrics of his songs, had concerts cancelled in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and has faced protests in cities like Chicago and Boulder, Colo., and now San Diego.

In light of the recent hate crimes that occurred in San Diego during Pride weekend, enraged local activists and community leaders made several failed attempts to pressure House of Blues, the company responsible for booking Banton, to cancel the concert.

“An artist who advocates hatred or hate speech, whether for religious, national or any other reason, oversteps the boundary of free speech when violence, hostility or discrimination are the natural and obvious consequences,” San Diego Human Relations Commission executive director Ashley Walker said in a recent statement regarding Banton’s upcoming concert.

Banton’s lyrics have called for the shooting and burning – among other acts of violence – of gay people.

Councilmember Toni Atkins made the following statement: “Coming on the heels of the recent brutal anti-gay attacks in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community as it does, the decision by House of Blues/4th and B Concerts to showcase Buju [Banton], a performer who advocates violence against LGBT people, is reprehensible. Free speech needs to be exercised responsibly and even though they may have the right to book this homophobic performer, they should have demonstrated respect for our community by not doing so.”

Yes, Banton may be walking a fine line with respect to freedom of speech as stated by the Human Relations Commission, but we have to agree with Atkins on this one. Banton, as repugnant as his lyrics may be, has a right to perform, as decided in the Supreme Court case Brandenburg v. Ohio, which states that the government may not “forbid or proscribe advocacy of the use of force or of law violation except where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.”

This language may be open to interpretation, but Banton does have a constitutional right to spew hatred.

The best way to fight hate speech is with more speech. By protesting Banton’s performance, we’re letting Banton, House of Blues, 4th & B, San Diego and the rest of the nation know that Banton’s views are not supported by San Diegans.

Alternative viewpoints must be protected. For years this community has fought for this freedom. As we parade down University Avenue each Pride season to the ugly sight of right-wing hate mongers protesting our freedom of speech, let’s be thankful our freedom is not up to them. But to maintain this freedom, the principle must be devoid of double standards.

House of Blues should have known better. To have an anti-gay performer booked so soon after our community suffered such violent attacks is irresponsible. 4th & B hosts a number of events throughout the year catering specifically to the GLBT community. Go ahead; give Banton a microphone to spew hatred. There are plenty of alternative venues we can go to spend our dollars.

From the moment word hit the street that Banton was to perform, City Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez led a coalition of community leaders and activists in protest. Those involved include, but are not limited to, the Stonewall Citizens Patrol, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the San Diego Democratic Club, The Center, the Imperial Court de San Diego, San Diego GLBT Vote 2006 and San Diego American Veterans for Equal Rights.

To those organizers and community members who attended the candlelight vigil Wednesday evening, thank you for giving our community a voice.