The owner of Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St. Paul, Bill Collins, announced the cancellation of six sold-out performances by Ben Bankas in response to public backlash following a series of derogatory jokes he made about Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman fatally shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on January 7, 2026.

Videos from Bankas’s performances at Laugh It Up Comedy Club in Poughkeepsie, New York, show him making inflammatory remarks shortly after Good’s death, including "Her last name was Good. That’s what I said after they shot her in the face," and derogatory comments regarding her sexual orientation. Clips of these performances quickly went viral, garnering over 10 million views.

The club's management decided to cancel the shows scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday due to “heightened threats, increasing media attention, and civil disorder.” Collins expressed concern that a small venue like Laugh Camp, with a capacity of 150, could not ensure the safety of patrons or staff amid escalating tensions.

Collins stated, “We are obligated to place the highest priority on the safety of our guests, staff, and talent,” emphasizing that the risk was "way too great." The club will refund all ticket buyers, and discussions about potential picketing and protests outside the venue were also revealed.

Bankas, who has faced prior backlash for controversial jokes, recently mentioned the need for armed security to perform in Minnesota if the venue proceeds to cancel. His management company, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), insisted that the venue pay his full fee, irrespective of the cancellations, which Collins estimated could amount to more than $17,000.

This incident highlights the ongoing debates surrounding comedy, freedom of speech, and sensitivity to recent events—particularly in light of Good's tragic death and the protests that followed.