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The Strokes play 'New York City Cops' while police officers swarm stage at Bernie Sanders rally

Officer pulls frontman over mid-song while attempting to control audience members who ran onstage

Zoe Tidman
Tuesday 11 February 2020 12:00 GMT
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Police pulls The Strokes' lead singer over during song about cops at Bernie Sanders' rally

Police officers swarmed the stage while The Strokes were playing a song about police at a Bernie Sanders rally.

One policeman in uniform even pulled lead singer Julian Casablancas over at one point during ‘New York City Cops’. The singer laughed and carried on.

Members of the crowd had jumped up to join the band on the stage for their final song at the rally in New Hampshire.

They were soon followed by police, who stood on the side and tried to get the frontman’s attention while The Strokes played their track about the New York City Police Department.

“New York City Cops,” Casablancas sang, turning away from the officer who tried to speak to him mid-song. “They ain’t too smart.”

The singer had invited people on stage after a crowdsurfer had been pulled down.

Shortly after, the frontman was surrounded my audience members — some holding “Bernie” signs — as well as multiple police officers, who were seen ushering people off the platform when the song finished.

Erika Mantz, a spokesperson for the University of New Hampshire, whose police department managed the event, said: “Contract security asked police to help control crowd access to the stage and performers.”

The Strokes were playing at a rally for Democratic presidential hopeful Mr Sanders, who introduced the band to his campaign event in Durham, New Hampshire.

Casablancas said before the concert: “As the only truly non-corporate candidate, Bernie Sanders represents our only chance to overthrow corporate power and help return America to democracy.

“This is why we support him.”

The Strokes also revealed a new album will be coming out in April at the end of their show.

Mr Sanders, a progressive candidate in the race to challenge Donald Trump at the next US presidential election, has surged to become the top choice among Democrats nationally, according to a new poll.

Meanwhile, the survey showed support for Joe Biden, previously considered the favourite to win the contest, has fallen as voters prepare to cast their ballot in the New Hampshire Primary on Tuesday.

Officials in the state have tried to reassure voters that election day will go smoothly after a chaotic count in Iowa, the first place to have its say on the Democratic presidential candidate.

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