Boycott Beyonce's Music, Tampa Police Union Says

TAMPA, FL — As the Tampa Police Department strives to set the record straight that its officers will provide security for Beyonce’s upcoming performance at Raymond James Stadium, the local police union has issued a statement about the controversy.

“The Tampa PBA is disgusted with Beyonce’s performance on the night of the Super Bowl and equally disgusted with her new video ‘Formation,’” Tampa Police Benevolent Association President Vinny Gericitano wrote on the group’s Facebook page. “The PBA does not support any artist who spreads an anti-police message.”

Gericitano’s statement comes as backlash over Beyonce’s halftime show continues to erupt across the country. The singer’s performance gave a nod to both the Black Lives Matter and Black Panthers movements, prompting harsh criticism from law enforcement officers and their supporters.

See Also:

• Tampa Police Not Shirking Beyonce Duty
• New Jersey Troopers ‘Disgusted’ By Beyonce’s Super Bowl Show

Beyonce’s Formation World Tour is set to kick off at Miami’s Marlins Stadium on April 29. Miami Fraternal Order of the Police President Javier Ortiz has called for officers there to boycott the show, saying “Hands up, don’t shoot was built on a lie.”

Ortiz doesn’t stand alone in his rebuke of the halftime show.

The New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association fired off a letter to the NFL following Beyonce’s performance. Association president Christopher Burgos said Beyonce’s performance was a “blatant anti-police message” and went on to say his organization was “disgusted” and “shocked” by the show.

Rumors began circulating in Tampa Thursday that local police officers were refusing to pull extra duty hours to provide security at the second stop on the Formation tour, scheduled for Raymond James Stadium on April 29.

“The emails just went out requesting people to work and while yes, some declined, many officers have signed up to work the concert,” Andrea Davis, Tampa Police Department spokeswoman, told Patch. The agency has given its assurances that the April appearance will be fully staffed.

Gericitano’s statement to local police supports that notion.

While the group urges “all law enforcement officers to boycott the purchase of Beyonce’s music and the purchase of tickets for her performance,” Gericitano says his group is “confident that on April 29th Tampa Police Officers will police Beyonce’s concert with courtesy, professionalism, and respect as they do daily for the citizens of Tampa.”

Tickets for Beyonce’s Tampa stop went on sale Tuesday.

Image via Shutterstock

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