Blood Orange's Dev Hynes and Friends' Samantha Urbani are threatening to press charges against Lollapalooza after claiming that they were both assaulted by security staff following the Blood Orange set at the Chicago festival this weekend. Taking to Twitter to vent their shock, Hynes says the staff involved "grabbed" Urbani and then "grabbed my neck and threw me to the ground." The incident occurred just hours after Hynes gave a speech on racism and police brutality and Urbani "begged [the] audience to take care of each other and film arrests," while both were wearing t-shirts emblazoned with anti-police brutality messages. Hynes', shown above, bears the names of victims of racist attacks and police brutality, including Trayvon Martin.
Urbani has since tweeted to say that the staff involved in the alleged assault were privately hired security at the stage and not official festival staff, but has now deleted the tweet. Lollapalooza have also issued a statement themselves, saying: “Late Friday night, we learned of an incident involving an artist and a security guard on site. Since then, we have been in contact with those involved and the authorities, as we work together to resolve the situation. As always, our top priority is to ensure the safety of everyone at the festival.”
See the couple's account of the incident below, including Hynes' appeal for witnesses to get in touch.
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 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
Apparently people are tweeting & writing on @lollapalooza Facebook page and they keep deleting the comments
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
Thanks for the support. We are both very shaken and I am pretty bruised up. But blessed to be alive in this world. Others aren't as lucky. X
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
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
Insane how nightmare situations can just come in2 action so suddenly. Being assaulted by security &watching them attack Dev- so traumatizing
— samantha urbani (@SamandudeBITCH) August 2, 2014
Shaking/crying feeling extremely violated &generally unsafe, beyond sad we missed the eminem show we were so psyched 4.
— samantha urbani (@SamandudeBITCH) 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 (@SamandudeBITCH) August 2, 2014
