Public criticism of Formation video and Super Bowl 50 performance
After the Formation video and Super Bowl 50 halftime set, politicians and police unions called the imagery anti-police. Miami's Fraternal Order of Police urged officers not to work her Formation World Tour dates.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- Formation song and video released day before Super Bowl - Variety and AP reported Beyonce released Formation and its video on 6 February 2016, the day before her Super Bowl halftime appearance. Coverage noted Katrina imagery and visuals linked to police violence protests. Beyonce Drops Formation Video Ahead of Super Bowl Appearance
- Super Bowl 50 halftime set with Black Panther-style imagery - CBS and the BBC reported that during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show, dancers appeared in Black Panther-style attire and raised fists. The Formation segment drew wide political commentary. Beyonce's Super Bowl show brings praise and criticism
- Giuliani and congressman criticize Formation messaging - CBS, citing AP, reported Rep. Peter King called the Formation video and Super Bowl appearance anti-police, and former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani said on Fox & Friends he found using the stage to attack police officers outrageous. Beyonce's Super Bowl show brings praise and criticism
- Miami police union urges officers not to work Formation Tour - CNN and AP reported Miami Fraternal Order of Police president Javier Ortiz urged a nationwide law-enforcement labor boycott of the Formation World Tour, calling the Super Bowl set anti-police. A city police spokesman said the union spoke only for itself. Miami police union calls for cops to boycott Beyonce