ReAwaken America Tour still looking for a Rochester area location

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) – Next month’s scheduled stop of Clay Clark’s Reawaken America Tour here in Rochester has been canceled. It was supposed to be at the Main Street Armory in Rochester.

News10NBC heard from members of the community who are happy it’s been moved out of Rochester, and have reaction from Clay Clark himself.

The Reawaken America Tour is a conservative conference featuring 3-dozen speakers including Michael Flynn, and Roger Stone that travels across the county. The event has been accused of pushing an agenda of both hate, and division.

"Thank you to Mr. Donaldson for making the right decision, and for making the statement that he did about what should, and shouldn’t happen in the city of Rochester," said Temple B’rith Kodesh Sr. Rabbi Peter Stein following the announcement.

Hundreds, maybe a few thousand people were expected to fill the Main Street Armory in Rochester on August 12, and 13th for Clay Clark’s Reawakening America Tour.

Owner Scott Donaldson said he believes everyone has the right to their own opinions, and beliefs. Monday he sent out this statement saying in part, "(In response) to the outpour(ing) of concern from our community, both good and bad, I have decided after careful thought to cancel the Reawaken America Tour that was scheduled in August 2022."

We talked to Clark about the cancellation.

"I believe in capitalism," said Clark. He continued, "And I believe if the Main Street Armory doesn’t think we’re a good fit for them, then that’ okay."

Clark says the event will still go on as scheduled, but in a different location.

"I can confirm that we have 5 different venues that have agreed to host us, and I’m just working on the final details," said Clark.

Keeping the event out of Rochester was the work of a coalition of faith leaders.

"The thing that really united us was that hate has no place in our city. Hate has no place in our county, and it really was very important because if this event had come to town it would’ve given a real opening to people who were spewing messages of divisiveness and bigotry, and now this won’t happen in this way," said Rabbi Stein.

Monroe County Legislator Mercedes Vazquez Simmons also spoke out against the event that would’ve taken place in her district.

"I’ve witnessed what the outcome of hate has been to our community, and I’m, proud to stand on the side of healing, and hope for our future that does not prosper, and encourage division, or hate," said Vazquez Simmons.

Monroe County Legislature President Sabrina Lamar released a statement saying in part, "With the massacre at the Tops Supermarket on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo still fresh in peoples’ minds, and what could have potentially happened at the Tops Supermarket on West Avenue here in Rochester, this was neither the time nor the place for such an event."