Rounding over 50 police officers to West Palm Beach, the long arm of the law is ready to protest an upcoming concert that will features names such as Nas and Damian Marley.
Known as The SunFest, which will run from April 28 through May 2, the event is known as one of the biggest to happen in that area.
With picket signs ready, the police aren’t actually protesting the show, but are looking to put their efforts against the city of West Palm Beach.
It was announced earlier this month that the city would be administering cutbacks and it was making an attempt to eliminate officer pay raises and reduce benefits. The protest will serve as the response to such a decision.
“The public thinks all we’re doing is asking for raises,” Lou Penque, a West Palm sergeant and union treasurer, told the Palm Beach Post. “We are more than willing to work with the city and they refuse to work with us.”
To counter the lack of authority that will be present, SunFest organizers have hired private security guards to ensure safety.
“I don’t think the public will appreciate it, and I hope (the police) rethink it,” West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel said. “We’ll have plenty of security. It’s always been a very safe event with very few incidents.”
With Nas and Damian Marley expected to perform on May 2, other acts include ZZ Top, Weezer, Sean Kingston and more.
