video: NEW: Providence’s Dancing Cop Calls for Dunkin’ Donuts Boycott

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle

Tony Lepore, the famous "Dancing Cop" and retired Providence Police officer, is calling for a boycott of Dunkin' Donuts, following two recent episodes, one involving a Providence employee writing #blacklivesmatter on an officer's cup, and one where an employee refused to serve an officer in Connecticut.  

"This was an issue close to my heart. No officer should be treated like that. I hear it's going on in other states too. Some restaurants are not even waiting on police officers. It`s a shame," said Lepore.

SEE VIDEO BELOW OF LEPORE ON THE NBC's TODAY SHOW

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Lepore's Facebook page is filled with calls to boycott the national chain, and Lepore on Monday provided the following statement to GoLocal. 

Lepore on the Record

"This incident that happened at Dunkin Donuts at Bradford St. & Atwells Ave. is unacceptable from the employee, and management. Yes, management! They are just as responsible for not rebuking.  This employee`s action was beyond verbal reprimand.  She should have been fired," said Lepore.

"This is a serious matter, because of the recent killings of police officers, and agitators from the "Black Lives Matter" group. As far as I`m concerned, they are the catalysts.  It`s not an organization of black against whites or police officers. To me it`s a radical organization with no rhyme or reason.  All lives matter, and our good citizen`s line of defense is their local police. Without them, there would be nothing but chaos," continued Lepore. "So, from this day on, I and many of my followers on social media are making a stand.  We are boycotting Dunkin' Donuts until this person or person`s responsible are fired for their actions."

Lepore began dancing in the street in Providence in 1984 as a way to 'relieve boredom," according to his Wiki page. After he retired, city leaders asked that he return during the holiday season in 1992 as a means of attracting people to the downtown area of Providence. 

He came out of retirement again in 2010, and in 2013 appeared in a Harlem Shake video at the nearby Dorrance.  

Editor's Note: This article was orginally published at 4:30 pm on October 5, 2015.

 

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