R.I. Dancing Cop Disinvited From 2nd City After Protest

East Providence officials said Tuesday that retired Providence officer Tony Lepore is no longer invited to perform

A second city has withdrawn its invitation for Rhode Island's "Dancing Cop" to direct traffic over his activism against the Black Lives Matter movement.

East Providence officials said Tuesday that retired Providence officer Tony Lepore is no longer invited to perform.

Providence officials told Lepore last month they were letting him go from his decades-long gig directing holiday traffic after he protested outside a coffee shop where a worker wrote "#blacklivesmatter" on an another officer's cup.

Dozens, including Providence NAACP President Jim Vincent, protested after East Providence invited Lepore to perform.

Lepore said on WPRO-AM that Vincent should be embarrassed.

Vincent says Lepore is a friend, but police and the community have worked hard to make sure Rhode Island doesn't become the next Ferguson, Missouri. Vincent says Lepore has been divisive.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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