Boston pol says Bieber-graffiti tweet was sarcasm

BOSTON (AP) - A Boston City Councilor says he was being sarcastic when he tweeted that he would introduce an emergency ordinance prohibiting Justin Bieber-inspired graffiti.

The pop singer asked artists around the world last week to paint murals inspired by tracks from his upcoming album, which is set to release Friday.

The singer posted a photo on Thursday of a mural on a Boston pizza shop, prompting a joking response from Councilor Matt O'Malley on Monday saying he planned to file legislation to keep such murals off city walls.

But not everyone grasped the intended humor and the tweet garnered a range of responses, including calls for O'Malley to focus on things like crime and poverty.

O'Malley says he has nothing against Bieber, but that he's not a fan of his work.