The controversial band Poker Face, labeled by critics as anti-Semitic and racist, will not be performing at this year's state Libertarian Party convention, scheduled for Saturday at the Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center in New Brunswick.
The performance has been canceled because University Inn managers are enforcing the Inn's rule that states no live music will be performed while other events are taking place there, said Ray Caprio, Rutgers University vice president of Continuous Education and Outreach. Caprio acknowledged that a letter critical of the band's appearance was sent to Rutgers president Richard L. McCormick.
Poker Face performed at the same convention in the same venue last year.
Critics of the group said the performance was called off after protesters — chiefly activist Daryle Lamont Jenkins of the Jersey City-based anti-racist One People's Project — voiced concerns about the group's message.
"Just because you have the freedom of speech doesn't mean you have the right to be heard if you're intolerant," said Jenkins, a former New Brunswick resident. "Anti-Semitic people or Nazis always say they have a right to believe what they wish.
"We're talking about people who are trying to deny that right to others."
Poker Face's "songs are about love, life and liberty with powerful and poignant lyrics and a rich sound reminiscent of Boston and Pink Floyd," a Libertarian National Party press release stated.
The forum section on the band's Web site, http://www.pokerface.com, contains articles posted — but not authored — by lead singer Paul Topete. The articles call Martin Luther King Jr. a Communist, speculate on whether Israel had a hand in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and provide a list of Jewish CEOs of media companies in the United States and Britain.
Topete said the band is drawing fire for speaking openly about controversial subjects.
"We expose Zionist crimes and if you expose Zionist crimes, you're an anti-Semite," Topete said. "I can expose black crimes, I can expose Hispanic crimes, but if I expose Zionist crimes, people are so Semite-sensitive that you can't expose them, because right away you get labeled an anti-Semite."
Barry Weinstein of New York is a supporter of the band who accompanied Topete to a Home News Tribune interview in New Brunswick yesterday.
"I'm Jewish, and I don't find Paul Topete or the band to be anti-Semitic," Weinstein said. "What I find is an inquiring mind looking to find out what is going on."
Topete, who is strongly anti-illegal immigration, also denied the charges of racism, stating he's part Mexican.
Topete said he plans to address the convention on Saturday about the controversy if his appearance doesn't conflict with a new show the band just booked for that day. Topete declined to say where the new show was to take place.
Tom Howard of Edison, who has been following the band's career, has been outspoken in his criticism.
"The thing about the band is that they're not explicitly white power or blatantly racist, a band like Poker Face tries to hide behind a lot of other things," Howard said. "They try to hide it by putting it in very mainstream packaging but it also sends a very wrong message."
Jeffrey Pawlowski of Sayreville, who ran for governor of New Jersey on the Libertarian Party ticket last year, said he was not aware of the controversy, but said if he found Poker Face to be anti-Semitic or racist, he would confront the band.
"I personally hope it's not true," Pawlowski said. "Their music is inspiring and they played for free."