Public anger over Rebel Wilson’s VMA police joke

Rebel Wilson is facing criticism after a police-themed joke during her presenting duties at the Video Music Awards didn’t go down too well.
The Australian actress took to the stage during Monday’s ceremony to present Nicki Minaj with the aware for Best Hip-Hop Video in a black bodysuit reading, “f*** tha stripper police”.
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• Gallery: the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards
“I know a lot of people have problems with the police, but I really hate police strippers,” she said, dressed in a police uniform, before taking it off to reveal the bodysuit.
“I hate this injustice,” she joked, “hence the shirt.”
Although meant as a light-hearted jest, some music fans didn’t take too kindly to the joke, interpreting it as a reference to police brutality, taking to Twitter to voice their condemnation.
Recent incidences of police brutality, ending in the deaths of a number of black Americans including Trayvon Martin and Freddie Gray, have sparked widespread protests across the United States.
I’ve kind of always thought Rebel Wilson “doesn’t really get it,” and I’m finally vindicated
— Dan D’Addario (@DPD_) August 31, 2015
Rebel Wilson is trying to make light of police brutality before the hip-hop video. GO AWAY #VMAs #BlackLivesMatter
— SOWMYA KRISHNAMURTHY (@SowmyaK) August 31, 2015