Emails released Monday (July 27) reveal Rihanna wanted to come to Baltimore to perform a free concert and walk with protestors in the wake of Freddi Gray’s death.
Freddie, 25, was arrested on a weapons charge April 12, 2015 but suffered a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody that led to his death seven days later.
In a message dated May 1 sent to Capt. Eric Kowalczyk, then the head of media relations for Baltimore Police, details of a conversation he had with a representative for Rihanna.
The representative “advised that Rihanna wants to walk with the protesters as well as perform a free concert,” the officer wrote. “He added that she will be arriving by plane and in an effort to divert press/media she will be traveling to the city by train (or by car if necessary).
“[He] stated that they had hoped to secure some extra police security and was directed by the Governor’s office to seek assistance through Communications.”
An officer who was cc’ed on the email forwarded it to Anthony Batts, who was then the police commissioner. Kowalczyk also passed the message along to Kevin Harris, a spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The possible concert was also mentioned in a situation report dated May 1 and indicates police might have stopped any attempt at holding a show. It seems the issue stemmed from a lack of permits.
In the end, Prince played a show at the Royal Farms Arena on May 10 and performed a song he wrote about the unrest in Baltimore. A livestreaming company backed by rapper and music business executive Jay-Z broadcast part of the concert.
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