Did you know that Rihanna wanted to perform a FREE concert in Baltimore and walk with protestors in honor of Freddie Gray?
Well, she did …but according to emails obtained by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore police weren’t having it.
In a message dated May 1 sent to Capt. Eric Kowalczyk, then the head of media relations for Baltimore Police, an officer outlines a conversation he had with a representative for the singer
The representative “advised that Rihanna wants to walk with the protesters as well as perform a free concert,” the officer wrote. “He added that she will be arriving by plane and in an effort to divert press/media she will be traveling to the city by train (or by car if necessary).
“[He] stated that they had hoped to secure some extra police security and was directed by the Governor’s office to seek assistance through Communications.”
An officer who was carbon copied on the email forwarded it to Anthony Batts, who was then the police commissioner. Kowalczyk also passed the message along to Kevin Harris, a spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The possible concert was also mentioned in a situation report dated May 1 and indicates police might have stopped any attempt at holding a show.
“Possible Rihanna Concert at Penn & North,” the update reads. “No time given. Police are claiming they have no permit so it will not be allowed.”
The representative for Rihanna identified in the emails did not respond to a request for comment.
Prince ended up playing a show at the Royal Farms Arena on May 10 and performed a song he wrote about the unrest in Baltimore.
Rihanna never said anything about the show, but at the time she did post picture of a black police officer with tear-filled eyes to Instagram along with a teary-eyed emoji.
Comments are closed.