Photo by Jeff Roberson
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U2 has canceled their show scheduled for Saturday night (Sept. 16) in St. Louis.

The band said today in a joint statement with Live Nation they were informed by police the force is "not in a position to provide the standard protection for our audience as would be expected for an event of this size."

"We have also been informed that local crowd security personnel would not be at full capacity," the band explained. "In light of this information, we cannot in good conscience risk our fans’ safety by proceeding with tonight’s concert. As much as we regret having to cancel, we feel it is the only acceptable course of action in the current environment."

The unrest in St. Louis stems from Friday's acquittal of a white former police officer, Jason Stockley, charged with first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of a black man, Lamar Smith, in 2011.

Protests erupted last night in the city, resulting in at least 10 officer injuries and dozens of arrests made. The demonstrations had begun peacefully but eventually turned violent.

Tickets for U2's St. Louis show will be refunded at the point of purchase.