The Kazakh comedian’s Skokie show has been canceled over support for the war

SKOKIE, Illinois – A scheduled performance by Kazakh comedian Nurlan Saburov at Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Performing Arts has been canceled due to backlash from local residents over the comic’s refusal to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Saburov has not been well received in the US, with protests surrounding the location of his performance in San Francisco earlier this week.

The show was scheduled for Saturday night and has been sold out for months.

The village and event management met with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America to make the decision on the cancellation.

A statement from the organization praised the decision.

“We have heard from many of our Illinois countrymen, including Skokie residents, who have shared our grief. We are sure that the people of Skokie are proud that this position of principle has been taken. Thank you for standing with Ukraine.“