INFphoto.comBeyoncé: 1. Haters: 0.
The pop star is offering for sale Formation tour merchandise bearing the slogan "Boycott Beyoncé," as seen in photos fans and news outlets posted on social media Wednesday after the first show in Miami.
The move comes more than two months after the singer stirred mixed emotions with a political and racially charged "Formation" music video and a performance of the song at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show.
Javier Ortiz, chief of Miami's police union, had urged officers to boycott Beyoncé's concert in the city, saying the singer "used this year's Super Bowl to divide Americans by promoting the Black Panthers and her anti-police message shows how she does not support law enforcement," according to The Miami New Times. However, a Miami Police Department spokesman said several cops were slated to work the event and the concert was to be "fully staffed."
Spotted at the #formationworldtour merch booth - "Boycott Beyoncé" shirts ?? pic.twitter.com/FaL4vtIE0A
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) April 28, 2016
Beyoncé is selling BOYCOTT BEYONCÉ t-shirts as tour merch ?? pic.twitter.com/zjD3HcV7XG
— Beyoncé Australia (@BeyonceAUS) April 27, 2016
The Formation World Tour merchandise! #BeyhiveBoys #BoycottBeyonce ?? pic.twitter.com/oTs3VbTqk6
— THE BEYHIVÉ (@TheBeyHiveTeam) April 27, 2016
Bey has included "Boycott Beyoncé" in the Formation Tour's official merch ??I love Pettyoncé just as much as Slayoncé pic.twitter.com/yBA3E78LFe
— Plantain Womanist (@spokenELLE) April 28, 2016
I'm gonna buy the Boycott Beyoncé tee and wear it on 1st dates as a test.
— Léonicka (@leonicka) April 27, 2016
Him: "lol yes! I hate that bi--"
Me: *leaves*
"I mean, I'm an artist and I think the most powerful art is usually misunderstood," Beyoncé told ELLE magazine in an interview posted earlier this month. "But anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. 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," she added. "Those are two separate things. If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me. I'm proud of what we created and I'm proud to be a part of a conversation that is pushing things forward in a positive way."
Beyoncé's online store also offers apparel with slogans such as "I Twirl on Them Haters," "You That Bitch When You Cause All This Conversation" and "Slay."
During Beyoncé's first Formation tour stop, husband Jay Z, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne and Bey's BFF Michelle Williams were all spotted watching in the front rows. Beyoncé had recently dominated social media following the release of her new visual album Lemonade, in which she sings about relationship problems and a cheating lover, spurring renewed attention in past rumors about Jay Z. The two have not confirmed nor denied the reports.
At the concert, Beyoncé dedicated a performance of her 2008 song "Halo" to her "beautiful husband," saying, "I love you so much."
Beyoncé also paid tribute to legendary pop star Prince, who died last week at age 57, by playing his 1984 hit "Purple Rain" during one of her interludes.
She also brought two female fans onstage to dance to her performance of "Single Ladies."
Beyonce called fans on stage at RANDOM to do her "Single Ladies" routine. Wow. This is amazing. pic.twitter.com/5v1XrHOYnt
— // Venny // (@DarthVenn) April 28, 2016
Beyoncé is set to perform next in Tampa on Friday and continue her tour throughout August.