This story has been updated to correct a quote.
WINNIPEG — Opposition is building to a concert in Winnipeg featuring U.S. hip hop artist Chris Brown.
Brown has been announced as one of the headlining acts for the Energy Rush Festival, set to hit the MTS Centre on August 29.
The show doesn’t come without controversy.
Thousands of Canadians have added their names to an online petition to stop the concert because of Brown’s violent history. In March 2009, he was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats against his girlfriend, pop star Rihanna.
Brown pleaded guilty to one count of felony assault and was put on five years probation and ordered to do six months of community service.
A petition against Brown’s scheduled appearance in Halifax has already garnered more than 10,000 signatures and a similar one was started Tuesday in Winnipeg by Kelcy Beirnes.
One Winnipeg woman has decided to hold a fundraiser for a women’s shelter on the same night as the concert.
Susie Parker started “Loving Hands Don’t Hit,” a fundraising evening for Osborne House at the Academy Lanes bowling alley.
The shelter’s executive director Barbara Judt said she is happy to see someone doing something positive and taking action.
“People are going to go to the concert, you can’t stop that,” said Judt. “It’s important to shift the focus because this (fundraiser) is something we can do to make a difference.”
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