Jackie Ruth August 4th, 2014 - 6:03 PM
Dev Hynes of Blood Orange says that he was assaulted by security guards at Lollapalooza Music Festival, just hours after he performed onstage.
After Hynes performed at Lollapalooza and gave a speech on racism and police brutality, he says that he and his girlfriend, Samantha Urbani, were assaulted by guards at the festival. At the time of the assault, Hynes was wearing a t-shirt he and Urbani made with the names of victims of police brutality, which he posted a photo of on Twitter earlier in the day.
Samantha & I made this T-shirt which I'm wearing today. The set is dedicated to these names & more. We remember. pic.twitter.com/si4ndgDrK1
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 1, 2014
Both victims posted about the incident on their Twitter accounts:
Samantha and I just got assaulted by the security. We are about to press charges
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
They grabbed her I asked what they were doing and they grabbed my neck and threw me to the ground, then two others joined in on me
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
I'm in pain, what the fuck. The irony after my t shirt and message this morning, we are in shock
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
Everyone saw it. We are pressing charges, I can't believe it. I'm so upset. Why is this still happening? I just want to make music
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
I WAS JUMPED BY THREE SECURITY GUARDS AND SAMANTHA WAS TOUCHED BY SECURITY. WE ARE HURT. WE PLAYED YOUR FESTIVAL. @lollapalooza
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
I gave a speech on racism and police brutality and then I am jumped by three security guards and my gf is assaulted. @lollapalooza
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
Apparently people are tweeting & writing on @lollapalooza Facebook page and they keep deleting the comments
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
If they're doing this to the musicians playing, then how have they been treating all the attendees throughout the day?
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
How insanely ironic that I wore a homemade "STOP POLICE BRUTALITY" shirt onstage 2day &begged audience 2take care of eachother &film arrests
— samantha urbani (@samandude) August 2, 2014
Shaking/crying feeling extremely violated &generally unsafe, beyond sad we missed the eminem show we were so psyched 4.
— samantha urbani (@samandude) August 2, 2014
Insane how nightmare situations can just come in2 action so suddenly. Being assaulted by security &watching them attack Dev- so traumatizing
— samantha urbani (@samandude) August 2, 2014
Terrifying thinking about if Dev was attacked like that & had a physical disability- like a heart problem, or ASTHMA #RIPEricGarner
— samantha urbani (@samandude) August 2, 2014
Rly not trying 2be 2self victimizing btw- this has shaken me so deeply bc this shit happens 2 ppl on all levels, constantly- feels endless
— samantha urbani (@samandude) August 2, 2014
Since all of this went down, Lollapalooza says they have been in contact with all those involved and the authorities to resolve the situation. Urbani has since said on social media that the guards who assaulted them were privately hired for that stage, not Lollapalooza staff. Hynes also tweeted about some new information:
Ps. One of the security guards is claiming that I assaulted him which is insanity. If you saw the incident please get in touch. Thanks.
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
