The National Association of Police Organizations, representing over 241,000 officers, along with other law enforcement groups in New York, Houston, L.A., New Jersey, Chicago and Philadelphia, have joined the boycott of Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino angered law enforcement agencies when he referred to police as “murderers” during a statement at a “Black Lives Matter” rally in New York City on October 24th.
“This is not being dealt with in any way at all. That’s why we are out here.” Tarantino continued “If it was being dealt with, then these murdering cops would be in jail or at least be facing charges. When I see murderers, I do not stand by. I have to call a murder a murder, and I have to call the murderers the murderers.”
According to Variety, The Weinstein Company, which will be releasing Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’ on Christmas, did not respond to a request for a comment about the boycott.
The National Association of Police Organizations’ statement said “As a high profile figure, Tarantino’s language is utterly irresponsible, particularly at a time when the nation is seeing increasing and persistent calls for the killing of officers. Anti-police rhetoric like Tarantino’s threatens the safety of police and citizens alike. The police he is calling murderers are the same officers who were present along the protest route to ensure the safety of protesters, who provide security when he is filming and who put their lives on the line to protect our communities day in and day out.”
The N.A.P.O. are asking for officers to stop working special assignments or off-duty jobs, security or traffic control for Tarantino’s projects. The organization wants to make it clear that anti-police rhetoric will not be tolerated. The question is, will the boycott interfere with the release of Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’ or any of his upcoming projects.
