Chicago hospital cancels Batman appearance after Colorado massacre
by Josh Mcghee Staff Reporter jmcghee@suntimes.com July 26, 2012 1:30PM
Lenny B. Robinson, a Baltimore businessman who went viral on YouTube in March when he got pulled over in Maryland while wearing his Batman costume,has been visiting kids in hospitals around the country.
Updated: August 28, 2012 6:17AM
An appearance by “Batman” and his Batmobile that was planned for Friday at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago has been canceled over concerns it could upset kids and their parents in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at a Colorado premiere of the new Batman movie. The hospital’s staff gave it “a lot of thought” and “consulted child psychiatrists” before canceling the appearance because it “could be upsetting to patients and parents,” hospital spokeswoman Julie Pesch said. Lenny B. Robinson — a Baltimore businessman who went viral on YouTube in March when he got pulled over in Maryland while wearing his Batman costume — has been visiting kids in hospitals around Baltimore since 2001, dressed as the Caped Crusader and driving his custom-made Lamborghini Batmobile. He decided to venture out to hospitals nationwide this summer. Lurie officials notified him Thursday they were canceling his appearance. He was in Peoria when he got word, according to his spokeswoman, Cindy Tanenbaum, who said other hospitals also have been canceling his appearances since the Colorado massacre.
