Beyoncé Miami Concert to Be Fully Staffed by Police, Despite Threatened Boycott
In February, Javier Ortiz, the president of the Miami Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #20, said his union had voted to boycott the first stop on Beyoncé‘s Formation World Tour because of the supposed “anti-police message” in her “Formation” video and Super Bowl performance. He urged all officers to do the same. The tour kicks off tonight at the city’s Marlins Park and, despite his efforts, the boycott was not successful, Tampa Bay’s WTSP and the Miami New Times report. Miami Police Department spokesman Officer Ernest Lawrence told the New Times, ”There was no one who had to be put in on a voluntary basis,” and “The concert will be fully staffed.” Another spokeswoman, Officer Frederica Burden also confirmed to WTSP that the concert will have a full police staff. Update (4/27, 8:06 p.m. ET): At her tour opener, Beyoncé is selling merch that says “Boycott Beyoncé,” Fader reports. Find some images below.
Earlier this month, Beyoncé rejected the anti-police criticism of “Formation” in an interview with ELLE. She said:
I mean, I’m an artist and I think the most powerful art is usually misunderstood. But anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things. If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me. I’m proud of what we created and I’m proud to be a part of a conversation that is pushing things forward in a positive way.
Miami-based DJ Khaled will open for Beyoncé on the tour.
Here’s a closer look at the merch. #FormationWorldTour #Miami pic.twitter.com/DffdlYO8pi
— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@Bey_Legion) April 28, 2016
Beyoncé’s crew rocking #FormationWorldTour merch. #Miami pic.twitter.com/26EQMYvoug
— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@Bey_Legion) April 27, 2016
Read “A History of Police Boycotting Musicians in America” on the Pitch.
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