U.S. pop singer Madonna performs during her Sticky and Sweet Tour concert in Bucharest August 26, 2009. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel

Madonna on stage in Bucharest, Romania condemned the widespread discrimination that exists in Eastern Europe against the Gypsy people – prompting mixed reactions from 60,000 crowed with many responding with jeers.

During Wednesday night’ s performance in Bucharest, the Material Girl made the following statement:

“It’s been brought to my attention that there’s a lot of discrimination against Romani and Gypsies in general in eastern Europe, and that makes me very sad.”

The Associated Press reports that there are about 500,000 Gypsies or Roma in Romania, but number could be as high as 2 million, and these individuals often face discrimination in Europe.

Roma, or Gypsies, are a nomadic ethnic group believed to have their roots in the Indian subcontinent.

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