When it comes to activism, everyone has different roles to play. Since the police killing of George Floyd, people have been finding their place in the fight and more companies, brands, and celebrities are getting in on the #blacklivesmatter movement by the day.
Whether they are using their platforms to speak out against racism, highlighting injustice through their art, donating money, supplies, food, or legal resources, or marching alongside the rest of us, celebrities have been showing up and showing out in the fight for justice.
Michael Jordan
On Friday, the NBA legend announced that he and his Jordan Brand will be donating $100 million to organizations dedicated to racial equality over the next 10 years. “The Jordan Brand is us, the Black community. We represent a proud family that has overcome family obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice,” said the statement.
“Black lives matter. This isn’t a controversial statement. Until the ingrained racism that allows our country’s institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people.”
Beyonce
Queen Bey has been using her enormous platform to speak out about the death of George Floyd and encouraged tons of people to sign a petition demanding the police be charged with murder.
“We need justice for George Floyd. We all witnessed his murder in broad daylight. We’re broken and disgusted,” Beyoncé said in an IG video directed at people across the world. “We cannot normalize this pain.” She has also encouraged people to protest peacefully and has honored George Floyd on her website.
Jay-Z
Sean Carter has been working hard behind the scenes to help where he can. The business mogul sent his own private jet to the legal team representing Arbery to ensure their attendance at a Georgia court hearing. According to social media posts uploaded by S. Lee Merritt of Philadelphia’s Merritt Law Firm, Hov let him and his associate fly private to the southern town.
He also took out full-page ads in several prominent publications to honor George Floyd with a letter that quoted MLK and was signed by the parents of Botham Jean, DJ Henry and Antwon Rose II, as well as Van Jones, Charlamagne tha God, Angela Rye, an attorney for the Floyd family, and several activists from organizations like The Innocence Project and Until Freedom.
Colin Kaepernick
The former NFL star is starting to get some of the respect he deserves for insisting on protesting police brutality and launched the #TakeaKnee movement despite major backlash and losing his spot in the league. He has been voicing his support for protestors.
“When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction,” Kaepernick posted on social media. “The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance. We have the right to fight back! Rest in Power George Floyd.”
He also launched a legal defense initiative for protesters in Minneapolis funded by his Know Your Rights Camp.
Ice Cube
Following the death of George Floyd, Ice Cube canceled his scheduled appearance on Good Morning America even though his latest flick The High Note, was due out the next day. “I apologize to everyone expecting to see me on Good Morning America today,” he tweeted, “but after the events in Minnesota with George Floyd I’m in no mood to tell America, good morning.”
When some fans slammed his decision, he made his stance crystal clear. “I’m done talking,” he tweeted. “These people know right from wrong and they obviously don’t care. So what we talking about?”
Halsey
The mixed-race pop singer has been marching in the streets of L.A. and documenting her experiences while protesting. “A true patriot is someone who will rebel against the government if it becomes necessary, to protect the greater good of their fellow citizens. We are patriots,” she tweeted. “If you are not, you are a coward. THIS is what democracy looks like.”
Halsey has been vocal about the privilege her fair complexion has afforded her and she pitched in to provide first-aid to injured protesters in Los Angeles.
“I don’t know how to articulate the horrors of today. NG + officers firing rounds into kneeling crowds. We don’t have enough medics on the ground on our side,” she posted. “I was treating injuries I am not qualified to. So much blood spilled. If you have med training pls go + standby outskirts.”
Kendrick Sampson
The Insecure star has been on the front lines of the Los Angeles protests from the start and helped organize last weekend’s protest in the Fairfax District.
“We honored those who have been murdered by police. The many that had been murdered by police — George Floyd brought us there that day, but we also had Tony McDade, and Kenneth Ross Jr., Breonna Taylor. …We poured out libations and we did so many beautiful things. We had an amazing song by Amber Riley, she’s sang ‘Freedom’ by Beyoncé—you know, my H-town people,” he told theGrio.
The actor was shot seven times with rubber bullets and continues to speak out against injustice and police brutality.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen. You have adrenaline going, fight or flight, and fortunately, I was blessed enough to make sure that I was fighting. You know, I don’t condemn anybody who does anything different necessarily,” he added. “I want to be very clear that I don’t condemn anybody else’s type of protest, that the only reason I continue to say that it was peaceful is to highlight the brutality of these cops. But I don’t necessarily advocate that it should have been peaceful with the violence that they were shown.”
Lena Waithe
Waithe is doing her part to support the movement by providing ongoing support to everyday folks who are out fighting for justice. The Emmy winner took to social media to announce she would be donating $25,000 directly to Black protestors who dropped their CashApp or Venmo information in her comments section. “We see you, we stand with you, we are you,” she said before adding that this will be just the first of many donations given to a community battling the dual realities of police brutality and a global health crisis.
Keke Palmer
The 26-year-old star has been protesting alongside her community and made a passionate plea to members of the National Guard to march with her. “You have to pay attention to what’s going on. We have a president that’s trying to incite a race war, and when the borders are closed. We can’t leave. You have people in here that need your help,” she implored. “This is when you and y’all can stand together with the community, with society, to stop the governmental oppression. Period. We need you.”
John Boyega
The Star Wars star from across the pond has been raising his voice for Black lives in a big way. He has been sharing his unfiltered take on racism with fans across social media and delivered moving speeches at protests in London. “I need you to understand how painful it is to be reminded every day that your race means nothing,” Boyega shouted to a crowd during a protest at Hyde Park in London. “And that isn’t the case anymore. That is never the case anymore. … We are a physical representation of our support for George Floyd.”
The actor says he doesn’t care if his activism costs him future roles. “Black lives have always mattered,” he yelled. “We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded.”
Drake
Drizzy has been speaking up about racial injustice on social media and even wrote a touching poem to honor George Floyd. He also donated $100,000 to the National Bail Out Fund after being challenged by Mustafa the Poet.
The Weeknd
The superstar who usually flies under the radar donated $500,000 to support George Floyd protest efforts. “Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives,” he posted along with receipts showing he actually donated the funds.
He also called out the major music labels and urged them to donate as well. “No one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services. I gave yesterday and I urge you to go big.”
Spike Lee
The Academy Award-winning filmmaker who is readying another exquisite offering Da 5 Bloods for release next week is using his art to speak volumes about the state of the world right now. He dropped a short film titled 3 Brothers and it illuminates the connection between his George Floyd, Eric Garner, and his fictional character from Do The Right Thing; Radio Raheem. All three of these men were killed by white police officers and the project is a staunch reminder that this is not new.
Steph & Ayesha Curry
The gorgeous couple walked hand in hand at protests in Oakland and were joined by some fellow Warriors including Klay Thompson.
“Today was a movement in Oakland! Thank you @juanonjuan10 for the leadership. Everybody play your role and be consistent with it. This is a real moment of change. Keep each other accountable. “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains!” #justiceforgeorgefloyd #breonnataylor#blm,” Curry posted on IG.
Kanye West
It took several days for Kanye West to join in on the fight, but he seems committed to using his platform to affect change. He pledged to start a college fund for George Floyd’s young daughter and donated $2 million to the families and legal defense funds of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. He and his wife, Kim Kardashian West, have also offered to pay for legal fees in the Breonnna Taylor case.
Yeezy also took to the streets in his hometown of Chicago to march with protestors last week.
The post Here’s how celebrities are taking action in the wake of George Floyd killing appeared first on TheGrio.
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