According to the Baltimore Sun, Berger, 67, lost his job as a cop in the 1980s after receiving several complaints from the NAACP about his act. But Berger is nothing if not committed, and so the blackface performer's fundraiser was planned for Nov. 1. Berger told the Sun that he had sold some 600 tickets at $45 apiece—that is until the police union, NAACP and lawyers for the cops involved found out about Berger's plans, which led to the cancellation of the event.
"My client will not participate. We will not accept a single, solitary dime from this sort of action," attorney Ivan Bates told the Sun. Bates represents Sgt. Alicia White, one of the six officers charged in Gray's death. Gray died in April from a spinal injury suffered while in police custody.
"This is the type of racist behavior that we do not need and do not want," the lawyer added.
The Baltimore NAACP also denounced the event. "I think it's disgusting," Tessa Hill-Aston, president of the city's NAACP chapter, told the Sun. "Right now, with all the things that are going on in Baltimore and also with all the issues with the Confederate flag, this is just putting more salt in the wound."
An attorney for the Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police added that it did not support the event. "We're completely unaware of it. We don't endorse it. We do not support it," said Michael Davey.
Berger, who considers his act to be a tribute to the late blackface performer Al Jolson, told the Sun that he didn't think his act was racist and that African Americans enjoy his work. He added that he was only trying to provide financial relief for the families of the officers during this time.
"I've been through what they're going through and I know they need the help," he said.
But Berger needs more help then they do! When is the benefit for the "racist jackass cop treatment" assistance find?!,?
PR
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