Rihanna’s Free Freddie Gray Concert Was Blocked By Baltimore Police

Bianca Gracie | July 28, 2015 6:43 am
Prince's Uplifting "Baltimore" Video
It begins with national headlines flashing on the screen.

Along with many other celebrities, Rihanna was publicly vocal about Freddie Gray‘s death that occurred in Baltimore back in April. So much so, in fact, that the singer wanted to host a free rally concert to benefit the city and walk with protesters.

Unfortunately, that plan never came to fruition as Baltimore police shut it down once receiving emails about it in May. Rihanna’s representative sent a message to Capt. Eric Kowalczyk (who was then Baltimore Police’s head of media relations), saying the singer wanted to arrive in the city via train in order to divert the press.

But in an update forwarded to former police commissioner Anthony Batts, it stated: “Possible Rihanna Concert at Penn & North. No time given. Police are claiming they have no permit so it will not be allowed.”

The benefit concert ended up being fronted by Prince, who performed in the city’s Royal Farms Arena on May 10. Rihanna does not typically show public protest, so it would have been interesting to see what she had planned up her sleeve.

[via Baltimore Sun]

What are your thoughts on the police’s decision? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!

Tags: ,