Beyoncé sells 'Boycott Beyoncé' merchandise as she kicks off 'Formation' world tour
Taking matters into her own hands
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After a Miami police union called for a boycott on the singer in response to her "Formation" video and politically charged performance at the Super Bowl, Beyonce is selling "Boycott Beyonce" merchandise at her concerts.
In the song, she sings: “You know you that b*tch when you cause all this conversation. Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper,” which seems to be exactly what she's doing.
Eager fans who attended the opening concert of her "Formation" world tour in Miami have been sharing pictures of the merchandise.
In February, Beyoncé got everyone talking when she released the video showing herself on top of a New Orleans police car submerged in flood water as a black child dances in front of a row of policeman who later put their arms up in surrender, in an allusion to police brutality in America.
Days later she stole the show from Chris Martin and Bruno Mars during the Superbowl half-time show with a rendition of "Formation" while dressed in leather, black berets and bullets mimicking the Black Panther activist group.
While the reception was largely positive, there was criticism from conservative corners, with some calling her performances and music “anti-police”. Following this, a Miami police union called for a boycott of the singer as did some users of social media and an anti-Beyoncé protest was scheduled in New York (although, reportedly only three people showed up).
Aside from the t-shirts, the singer only responded to the criticism last month. “Anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken,” she told ELLE. “I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things.”
The sale of the merchandise comes days after the 34-year-old released her politically charged, critically acclaimed visual album Lemonade which has attracted acclaim, sparked debate and prompted hysertia from the beyhive over suggestions of infidelity.
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