
Beyonce
Singer and Black Panthers supporter Beyonce is having a hard time finding cops who will pull security for an upcoming show in Florida.
The Tampa Police Department needs volunteers to staff a concert for the singer on April 29, but it appears as though her recent Super Bowl halftime performance is making that task difficult. Her song "Formation" was performed as a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement, the Black Panthers and Malcolm X during Feb. 7's NFL championship game. A new video for the song also features "hand up, don't shoot!" imagery and a spray-painted wall that says, "Stop shooting us."
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Police spokesman Steve Hegarty indicated Thursday that off-duty officers have been slow to volunteer for the upcoming concert at Raymond James Stadium.
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"We're going to staff it because we have a responsibility to do that regardless of how controversial it might be, who the artist might be or the politician might be,” Hegarty said, Fox 13 in Tampa reported. "This is a couple of months away, so we've still got plenty of time to fill those slots."
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clark appeared on Fox News Feb. 8 and asked of Beyonce's performance, "Would that be acceptable if a white band came out in hoods and white sheets in the same sort of fashion? We would be appalled and outraged."
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National Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Jonathan Thompson told the Washington Post on Thursday, "Art is one thing, but yelling fire in a crowded theater is an entirely different one."
Thompson's comments came just one day after shots were fired outside the home of Sheriff Robert Arnold of Rutherford County, New Jersey.
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Arnold told the Daily News Journal on Wednesday he believed the shooting was connected with Beyonce's Super Bowl performance.
He said "You know, Beyonce’s video," when asked for clarification. "My comments reflect the violence and senseless killing of seven deputies in the U.S. since the show aired. My comments are an observation of the violence that has occurred, but in no way is meant to offend anyone. The senseless killing of four law enforcement officers just this week – on the heels of the anti-police 'entertainment' at the Sunday Super Bowl halftime show – reminds us that the men and women in law enforcement take a solemn oath that includes putting their lives on the line every day to protect our citizens."
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Beyonce's husband, singer Jay-Z, also announced Feb. 5 that his music platform Tidal would be giving $1.5 million to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Black Panthers supporter Beyonce is having a hard time finding cops to pull security for her upcoming concert (Photo: YouTube, Beyonce)
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