January 25, 2017
One local law enforcement official has a message for the thousands of protesters flocking to Center City this week to make their voices heard as the Republican House Senate Leadership Conference sets up shop at the Loews Philadelphia hotel: Speak your minds, but don’t be like the Material Girl.
That official is Michael J. Chitwood, superintendent of the Upper Darby Police Department. The Material Girl is, of course, Madonna.
The latter came to the former’s attention with comments she made at Saturday’s Women’s March on Washington.
"Yes, I'm angry. Yes, I am outraged," she said at the protest march that drew hundreds of thousands of marchers to the nation’s capital. "Yes, I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House. But I know that this won't change anything. We cannot fall into despair."
Though Madonna attempted to walk the statements back on Sunday – via Instagram post – many didn’t buy it.
That included the ever-outspoken Chitwood, who responded with a message of his own on Twitter on Monday. Incredulous, he maintained she “should be arrested and prosecuted.”
MADONNA says she should blow up the White House. How can she get away with that statement? She should be arrested and prosecuted, my opinion
— Michael J. Chitwood (@ChiefMChitwood) January 23, 2017
The message made waves on Twitter and Facebook (where his Tweets are automatically reposted), and he told PhillyVoice this week that the vast majority of the feedback was positive.
“I usually stay away from politics, but I posted that because I was very concerned,” he said Wednesday. “I’m all for people protesting, as long as they do it in a non-violent way. What she said about what she was dreaming, or thinking, feeling, it’s unacceptable to talk about it.
“I don’t care who’s in the White House. Whoever it is, when you talk like that, you’re talking about the president and the president’s family. I don’t care who you are. If I made statements like that, I’d have Secret Service all over my office. It’s beyond protocol for the First Amendment.”
The retreat started Wednesday and runs through Friday, but Thursday will feature a visit from President Donald Trump, an event sure to be the focal point of protesters' attention.
