Buffalo music venue Nietzsche's has banned a DJ from performing again after a meme described as "We Are Charlie Kirk" was displayed during a recent show, prompting backlash online. The venue issued a public apology, stating it learned of the incident through social media.
In a Facebook statement, Nietzsche's explained that after speaking with the artist and promoter, they understood the meme was intended as a jest. However, the venue asserted that the content was inappropriate for Nietzsche's and did not reflect its values of acceptance, respect, and community. The DJ responsible for displaying the meme will not be invited back to perform at the club.
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University. Following his assassination, a song reportedly generated by AI, titled "We Are Charlie Kirk," was released on September 18, 2025. This song, characterized as a Christian power ballad, has been used by some on platforms like TikTok in videos that mock Kirk and his death.
Nietzsche's reaffirmed its commitment to being a welcoming space for all and apologized to anyone who felt unwelcome or hurt by the incident. The venue expressed appreciation for those who brought the matter to their attention and stated they would continue working to uphold their values.