Comedian and 'SNL' alum Jim Breuer cancels performances at venues that require COVID-19 vaccination, calls it 'segregation'

• Comedian Jim Breuer said he will not perform at venues where COVID-19 vaccination is required.
• Breuer described vaccination mandates as "segregation."
• "What these establishments are doing is wrong. What this dictatorship is doing is wrong," he said.

Comedian and "Saturday Night Live" alum Jim Breuer said he will not perform at any live venues that require proof of COVID-19 vaccination and described the public health measure as "segregation" in a Facebook Live stream over the weekend.

"Two quick updates on shows that you may think you may be getting tickets to or you already have tickets to The Wellmont Theater in New Jersey - not doing it," Breuer said. "Also, the Royal Oak Theater in Michigan, due to the segregation of them forcing people to show up with vaccinations ... I am also not doing those shows."

Breuer, 54, continued to say that he was sacrificing "a lot of money" and would rather "go bankrupt" by making a stand rather than be "enslaved by the system, or by money, and nor should anyone that wants to laugh or be entertained."

"What these establishments are doing is wrong. What this dictatorship is doing is wrong," he said. It is unclear what dictatorship Breuer is referring to. Nonetheless, many public venues across the United States have announced new policies that require both performers and patrons to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as the delta variant causes a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country.

Earlier this month, a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the majority of recent coronavirus-related hospitalizations and deaths have been among unvaccinated individuals. The study reported that unvaccinated Americans were 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19. And from April to June, unvaccinated individuals accounted for 95% of cases, 93% of hospitalizations, and 92% of COVID-19 deaths.

Later during his Facebook live video, Breuer said that he and his wife - who has stage IV cancer - as well as their daughter had all previously contracted COVID-19. However, he said that being vaccinated should be a "choice" and he would not be listening to differing opinions.

"No matter what your feelings are in it - I don't care if you're vaccinated. That's great. It's a choice," Breuer said. "If you have anything else to say, I honestly don't care. So don't leave comments going, 'Oh this is a good thing.' I highly disagree with you and I will always disagree with you."

Vaccination hesitancy amongst live performers and celebrities has increasingly appeared in the news over the last few weeks. Earlier this week, rapper Nicki Minaj said she would not be getting vaccinated for the 2021 Met Gala as the event requires.

"They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. If I get vaccinated it won't for the Met. It'll be once I feel I've done enough research," Minaj said in a tweet Monday afternoon.

All three of the vaccines authorized in the US have been proven safe and effective. Earlier this month, Insider's Erin Snodgrass reported that a new study estimated around 300,000 lives have been saved and 1.25 million hospitalizations prevented due to America's vaccine program.