Police Increase Security After Racist And Anti-Gay Terror Threat Against Jackson Browne Concert

Orlando police said they will have an increased presence for Tuesday night’s Jackson Browne concert at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts after a possible threat.

Police in West Lafayette, Ind., began investigating Sunday after a banner was left at a Unitarian Universalist Church that hosted a protest to mark the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

The banner — which includes vulgar language and misspellings — says “Die [expletive], Orlando just like Los Vegas” with “Janury 23rd” in red letters. Another banner left at the church names Browne and includes racial and anti-gay slurs.

“OPD is aware of this incident and has been in communication with police in West Lafayette, Indiana,” Orlando police said in a statement. “We are aware that there is a planned Jackson Browne concert Jan. 23 at the Dr. Phillips Center and there will be an increased security presence at the event.”

A spokeswoman for the center said it learned about the situation on Sunday and has been working with police to ensure the safety of the concert.

“The safety and security of our guests, colleagues and artists is our highest priority,” the spokeswoman said.

The sign apparently makes reference to the shooting that left 58 dead and injured hundreds of others during a concert in Las Vegas in October.

West Lafayette Police Chief Jason Dombkowski said his department notified the FBI about the incident.

Browne, 69, is a Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame member known for taking on environmental causes. His hit songs include “Take It Easy” and “Running on Empty.”

The banners prompted the city of West Lafayette to organize an anti-hate forum for Wednesday.

“Hate speech is not protected speech and we will vigorously pursue and prosecute anyone who seeks to intimidate and strike fear in our citizens,” Dombkowski said in a press release.

West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis wrote in a Facebook post that the city, which is home to Purdue University, “has been and always will be an open and welcoming community.”

“We will not allow our embracing of all that is right to be targeted by those who feel empowered to deliver a message of hate, violence and exclusivity,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[email protected], 407-420-5471 or @DavidHarrisOS

Copyright © 2018, Orlando Sentinel

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