America’s Black Police Union Speaks Out Against Beyonce Boycott

Just when it appeared ‘Single Ladies’ singer Beyonce would be left alone to search out (and fund) security efforts for her forthcoming ‘Formation’ sports stadium tour, many US cities are standing up for the Grammy winner, vowing to produce detail once the trek visits their individual locations.

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While Tampa, Florida was 1st to make headlines after their police department took to Twitter to slam rumors of their intent to boycott, it seems Raleigh, NC and Arlington, Lone-Star State are currently in agreement with the choice. They be part of variety of police officers – particularly black police unions – who are calling out boy-cotters for discriminatory behavior.

Via Raleigh local news:

The Raleigh Police Protective Association unanimously voted not to boycott providing security for Beyonce’s upcoming concert at Carter-Finley Stadium on May 3.
“While we do have concerns over the perceived anti-law enforcement images Ms. Knowles used in her most recent music video and her halftime performance at the Super Bowl, we voted unanimously not to boycott the May 3 concert,” [president Matt] Cooper said.

 
Via Arlington local news:

“When we sign up to work an event, we are there working for the overall safety of the event and the patrons NOT the celebrity,” Mason said. “Simply put a formal boycott of working a concert would have zero effect on the concert giver, and more of an effect on the citizens in attendance, citizens that we have taken an oath to protect, regardless of whatever personal beliefs they may or may not have towards us.”

Via CNN:

“She started talking that black stuff … and white folks (said), ‘We don’t know how to deal with that.’ “
“But when one of us shows some independence, look how you treating Beyoncé now,” he said. “You gonna picket. You not going to offer her police protection? But the (Fruit of Islam, the security branch of his organization,) will.” – Farrakhan, 2016

Miami’s Black Police union:

“…call for police officers to abdicate their sworn duty to protect and serve even the unpopular by boycotting her upcoming concert is another example of what has proven to be a long pattern of irresponsible behavior…”
“All of these things, and others not mentioned here, have common denominators in that they involve African-Americans…portrays [them] in a negative light with thinly veiled racist overtones…”

 Read  more from their statement in full here.