Netflix Issues Statement After Dave Chappelle Attack: "We Strongly Defend the Right of Stand-Up Comedians"
After Dave Chappelle was attacked at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday, Netflix has issued a statement, calling for the protection of comedians.
Netflix is coming to the defense of Dave Chappelle. On Tuesday evening, the comedian was performing during Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, when attendee Isaiah Leetackled him on-stage. According to Variety, a spokesperson for Netflix has issued a statement, calling for the protection of comedians.
"We care deeply about the safety of creators and we strongly defend the right of stand-up comedians to perform on stage without fear of violence," the spokesperson for the streaming platform said.
A spokesperson for Chappelle also released a statement on his behalf:
“Dave Chappelle celebrated four nights of comedy and music, setting record-breaking sales for a comedian at the Hollywood Bowl," the spokesperson said. "This run ties Chappelle with Monty Python for the most headlined shows by any comedian at the Hollywood Bowl, reaching 70k fans of diverse backgrounds during the first Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival, and he refuses to allow last night’s incident to overshadow the magic of this historic moment.”
Although phones were disallowed at Chappelle's Hollywood Bowl set – instead being placed in Yondr pouches – clips of the attack circulated on social media.
Following the attack, Lee – who was armed with a knife and replica gun was rushed from the stage by security guards and apprehended by the Los Angeles Police Department. Chappelle continued the show, with assistance from Jamie Foxx and Chris Rock, who helped calm the crowd.
Details have also surfaced that prior to the Hollywood Bowl show, Lee released a song on Spotify in 2020 titled "Dave Chapelle" under the moniker 'NoName_Trapper.' According to TMZ, Lee has 32k followers on Instagram, only following 80 people – Chappelle being one of the people he follows. Charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon, Lee is now being held on a $30k bond.