Amid abuse allegations, Day for Night festival cuts ties with founder Omar Afra

Day for Night organizer Omar Afra talks about the 2017 show outside the old downtown post office. Afra has been removed from "any ownership or involvement in Day For Night from this day forward," the festival posted on its Facebook page Sunday. less Day for Night organizer Omar Afra talks about the 2017 show outside the old downtown post office. Afra has been removed from "any ownership or involvement in Day For Night from this day forward," the festival ... more Photo: Dave Rossman, Freelance Photo: Dave Rossman, Freelance Image 1 of / 111 Caption Close Amid abuse allegations, Day for Night festival cuts ties with founder Omar Afra 1 / 111 Back to Gallery

Houston's annual Day for Night festival has cut ties with its founder Sunday after the allegations surfaced of his sexual misconduct.

Omar Afra has been removed from "any ownership or involvement in Day For Night from this day forward," the festival posted on its Facebook page Sunday.

Afra, meanwhile, pledged to "fight back against allegations that are patently false."

Afra, 40, is also publisher of Free Press Houston and has worked on festivals the publication put on, including the Free Press Summer Fest and the Westheimer Block Party.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Day for Night festival springs from the unconventional mind of Omar Afra

The allegations were initially made public Friday by Amanda Hart, who published a Facebook post about Afra, who she worked with at Free Press Houston, Summer Fest and Day for Night.

"I have personally seen him cultivate a toxic work environment where people are manipulated, mistreated and abused emotionally," Hart wrote.

She attached several screenshots of text messages which were allegedly exchanged between Afra and a woman who says Afra assaulted her. A second woman also came forward with allegations against Afra years earlier.

The festival's creditors "were shocked and saddened" to hear the accusations, Day For Night's Facebook post said Sunday. "We stand with all victims of abuse."

In December, the Day for Night festival featured a long list of performing and visual artists, including Nine Inch Nails, Thom Yorke, Solange and Pussy Riot, at the old Barbara Jordan Post Office on Franklin Street.

On Sunday afternoon, Afra posted a statement on his Facebook page, announcing that he will step down from his positions at Day for Night and the Free Press.

"I can't begin to say how saddened, shocked, and embarrassed I am for the developments over the last several days," he wrote, adding that his wife and children have been traumatized and that he has received death threats.

IN 2015: Chatting with Day for Night organizer Omar Afra

In his Facebook post, Afra called the accusations a "coordinated attempt," but also acknowledged that he had "veered away from what I knew was right and caused pain to those around me including family and friends."

"There's a lot more that's going to come out about this," Afra said on the phone Sunday. He said that the allegations against him do not constitute sexual assault.

"I am focusing on my family; I am trying to keep it together for them," he said.

Afra said in the post that he has been in therapy for a year and is trying to get back on the right path.

There's no word yet on the future of the festival, which was last held in December.

"Out of respect for these alleged victims, any announcement about the future of Day For Night will be made at a later date," the festival's Facebook post said.