MIAMI, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A Miami concert scheduled for the night before the MTV awards has dropped a performance by the Reggae star Beenie Man in the face of gay protests.
"We removed him," MTV spokeswoman Marnie Black said. "Beenie Man will no longer be performing Saturday night. We don't want anything to overshadow what will be a great weekend of events for South Floridians.
The call for protests was made Tuesday by a London gay-rights group known as "Outrage."
"A pop star who wants to 'execute' gay men and lesbians will perform live in Miami," said an open letter by Brett Lock of the group.
He said one of his song titles is: "Batty Man Fi Dead," which means "Queers must be killed."
Miami gay activist Jack Nichols called Beenie Man's songs "encouragement to murder."
"They specify ways to murder gay men and lesbians," Nichols said.
The MTV Music Video Awards will be handed out Sunday night in Miami, and pre-parties and concerts start Thursday.
