Subscribe
NewsOne Featured Video
CLOSE

Beyonce‘s Super Bowl appearance hit a nerve with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who called her Black Panther-inspired performance an “attack on police officers.”

Giuliani made the comments to Fox News on Monday. The 71-year-old wasn’t impressed with the singer’s reported political stance and homage to the Black Panthers, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.

While Beyonce and her camp haven’t confirmed the nod, her backup dancers donned Black Panther-esque berets and all-black garb for the show.

An “X” was also formed on the field for what many believe was a salute to the late Malcolm X.

Via Billboard

“I think it was outrageous,” Giuliani said on Fox News Monday about Beyonce’s performance. “The halftime show I thought was ridiculous anyway. I don’t know what the heck it was. A bunch of people bouncing around and all strange things. It was terrible.”

“This is football, not Hollywood, and I thought it was really outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers who are the people who protect her and protect us, and keep us alive,” he continued.

“And what we should be doing in the African-American community, and all communities is build up respect for police officers. And focus on the fact that when something does go wrong, okay. We’ll work on that. But the vast majority of police officers risk their lives to keep us safe….let’s have decent, wholesome entertainment.”

Over the years, the reputation of police officers has drastically changed following law enforcement shootings of men and women of color and multiple crimes committed by officers like Daniel Holtzclaw, who was convicted of rape last year.

Behind the scenes, Beyonce’s backup dancers could be seen honoring Mario Woods, who was shot over 15 times by San Francisco police officers last year.

Furthermore, after Beyonce joined fellow performers Coldplay and Bruno Mars on the Super Bowl stage for a mash-up of “Uptown Funk,” a positive message about love was displayed amongst the crowd.

Following the performance, Beyonce — while revealing her “Formation” world tour — announced a fund to benefit lead water-exposed children in Flint.

From the Detroit Free Press:

The Formation World Tour will kick off April 27 in Miami. As part of the upcoming run, the singer is asking fans to keep tabs on her @beygood Twitter feed for details on helping young Flint residents in need.

Beyoncé and the United Way are “partnering with the Community Foundation of Greater Flint to create a fund that will address long-term developmental, education, nutrition and health needs of the children affected by the Flint water crisis,” the star’s team said in a statement Sunday night.

Beyonce’s husband Jay Z and Roc Nation also donated $1.5 million to Black Lives Matter and other social justice organizations. The announcement was made on Friday, which happened to be the 21st birthday of the late Trayvon Martin.

SOURCE: BillboardDetroit Free Press | VIDEO CREDIT: YouTube | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty, Twitter

SEE ALSO:

Beyonce Highlights Police Brutality, Hurricane Katrina Aftermath In New “Formation” Video

Every Photo Of Beyonce’s Super Bowl Performance You’d Want To See

Beyonce Didn’t Almost Fall: The Internet Reacts To Queen Bey’s Super Bowl Performance
0 photos