Controversial Concert At Council Rock North Canceled

NEWTOWN, PA — A controversial concert event planned in March at Council Rock High School North has been canceled.

In an email Friday, Council Rock School District spokeswoman Susan O'Grady confirmed the March 2 Confederate Railroad concert has been canceled after conversations with event sponsors, the Bucks County Fraternal Order of Police.

This concert was not a district-sponsored event but was scheduled to be held at Council Rock High School North through the district’s facility usage process.

The concert was canceled after a group of parents had raised concerns about the band's name as well as song titles and lyrics.

RELATED: Some Council Rock North Parents Livid Over Upcoming Concert

Parents, in a petition launched this week, said there were not pleased the district was going to permit a band with such song titles as "She Took It Like A Man," "Psycho Bitch From Hell," and "White Trash with Money" to play at the local school. Opponents also took issue with the band name, saying it is offensive and promotes slavery.

The petition made clear the event is not sponsored by the district, but took issue with the fact that it is even being permitted on school grounds.

Opponents highlighted the following school policy (CRSD Policy 707, Section 2) as they advance their position against the concert:

"The Council Rock School District has an obligation to shield our students, personnel, and residents from harassment as well as vulgar or obscene speech and/or speech that substantially disrupts or materially interferes with school activities as well as other activities that are in violation of the policies of the Council Rock Board of School Directors. No organization or individual shall utilize school facilities for any purpose that would violate these obligations."

The policy goes on to state "the Superintendent or his/her designee reserves the right to refuse, with or without cause, any individual or organization use of District facilities."

Confederate Railroad bills itself as a family-friendly country music act that entertains at a variety of venues, including fairs, biker shows, and more.

"From rowdy country to raw emotion, a Confederate Railroad concert today covers a wide range of feelings. Young people will be there rocking to 'Trashy Women', while their parents and even grandparents will likely be singing along to 'Jesus and Mama'," the band's bio says.

As of Friday morning, 121 people had signed the petition. You can view it here.

Patch file photo