Rep: Madonna compelled to defend Gypsies

BUCHAREST, Romania, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Madonna's publicist says the U.S. pop singer felt compelled to speak out at a concert in Bucharest, Romania, about the plight of Gypsies in Eastern Europe.

The recording artist was met with boos when she preached tolerance of the minority group, known also as Roma, at a gig this week.

The BBC reported Madonna's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, explained the entertainer made the remarks after learning of the prejudice Romany people experience in Eastern Europe.

"Madonna has been touring with a phenomenal troupe of Roma musicians who made her aware of the discrimination toward them in several countries, so she felt compelled to make a brief statement," Rosenberg said.

"I jeered her because it seemed false what she was telling us. What business does she have telling us these things?" 23-year-old concertgoer Ionut Dinu told the British network.