Pittsburgh police are refusing to work the security detail for a Beyonce concert and they’re citing anti-police scenes from her videos as the reason for their protest.
Watch below:
Here’s more from Fox News:
Pittsburgh police officers who may be forced to work security at an upcoming Beyoncé concert could file an unfair labor grievance against the city, according to reports.
Local media has reported that many officers see her latest album, “Lemonade,” as anti-police and they want to work her May 31 show at Heinz Field.
“There are police officers that have expressed that they do not want to support an artist that they don’t like what she has to say,” president Robert Swartzwelder of the Fraternal Order of the Police Lodge No. 1 said. “It’s up to them what they want to do with their off-duty time.”
Swartzwelder explained that working security at these events is strictly voluntary, so forcing officers to work this event if there are not enough volunteers violates the city’s contract with the police department.
The music video for Beyoncé’s single “Formation” features her singing on top of a New Orleans police cruiser submerged in water, a run-in between a young African-American boy and police in riot gear and a wall with “Stop Shooting Us” written on it.
Here’s the video they’re referring to:
Earlier this year, the Miami Fraternal Order of Police called for a boycott of Beyoncé’s concert in The Magic City, citing her “anti-police” Super Bowl 50 performance, during which she wore a costume inspired by the Black Panthers.
I mean, if you’re gonna criticize those you’re asking to defend you, don’t be surprised if they say “screw off!!”