Celebrities rally for change following George Floyd's death
Following the death of George Floyd, a whole host of public figures, including Michelle Obama, Rihanna and Beyoncé, have utilised their social media platforms to send powerful messages and demand justice.
Earlier this week, footage appeared online showing Floyd, who was African American, struggling for breath and crying out "I can't breathe" and "Don't kill me" while a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes as other officers stood by. Floyd, a 46-year-old father, was pronounced dead after being taken to a nearby hospital.
The distressing video, which was filmed on Monday in Minneapolis, Minnesota, depicts another incident in a long history of police brutality against black people. Floyd's death also follows the recent high-profile deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man shot and killed while he was jogging, and Breonna Taylor, a black woman gunned down by the police in her own home.
According to CNN, four Minneapolis officers were fired and an FBI investigation was ordered as a result of the incident.
The day after Floyd's death, protests erupted throughout America calling for an end to police brutality and demanding justice for Floyd. Signs saying "I can't breathe" flooded the streets as protestors chanted "No justice, no peace".
Celebrities have shared heartfelt responses as they call for change and action:
Michelle Obama
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on May 29, 2020 at 3:59pm PDT
A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on May 29, 2020 at 3:59pm PDT
Rihanna
View this post on Instagram A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on May 29, 2020 at 8:10pm PDT
A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on May 29, 2020 at 8:10pm PDT
Beyoncé
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on May 29, 2020 at 8:13pm PDT
A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on May 29, 2020 at 8:13pm PDT
Oprah
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) on May 29, 2020 at 11:23am PDT
A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) on May 29, 2020 at 11:23am PDT
Kim Kardashian West
View this post on Instagram Text "FLOYD" to 55156 #blacklivesmatter
A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 30, 2020 at 10:11am PDT
Text "FLOYD" to 55156 #blacklivesmatter
A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 30, 2020 at 10:11am PDT
Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez
I’ll just say it: a lot of politicians are scared of the political power of the police,and that’s why changes to hold them accountable for flagrant killings don’t happen. That in itself is a scary problem.
We shouldn’t be intimidated out of holding people accountable for murder.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 27, 2020
I’ll just say it: a lot of politicians are scared of the political power of the police,and that’s why changes to hold them accountable for flagrant killings don’t happen. That in itself is a scary problem.
We shouldn’t be intimidated out of holding people accountable for murder.
Tracee Ellis Ross
View this post on Instagram George Floyd. You should be alive.
A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross) on May 26, 2020 at 7:48pm PDT
George Floyd. You should be alive.
A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross) on May 26, 2020 at 7:48pm PDT
Naomi Campbell
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Naomi Campbell (@naomi) on May 27, 2020 at 11:41am PDT
A post shared by Naomi Campbell (@naomi) on May 27, 2020 at 11:41am PDT
Barack Obama
A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama) on May 29, 2020 at 9:08am PDT
Bella Hadid
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bella 🦋 (@bellahadid) on May 29, 2020 at 6:43pm PDT
A post shared by Bella 🦋 (@bellahadid) on May 29, 2020 at 6:43pm PDT
Olivia Wilde
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Olivia Wilde (@oliviawilde) on May 27, 2020 at 11:29am PDT
A post shared by Olivia Wilde (@oliviawilde) on May 27, 2020 at 11:29am PDT
Cardi B
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cardi B (@iamcardib) on May 26, 2020 at 7:00pm PDT
A post shared by Cardi B (@iamcardib) on May 26, 2020 at 7:00pm PDT
Katie Holmes
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katie Holmes (@katieholmes212) on May 26, 2020 at 4:05pm PDT
A post shared by Katie Holmes (@katieholmes212) on May 26, 2020 at 4:05pm PDT
Zoë Kravitz
View this post on Instagram GEORGE FLOYD my heart breaks for you and your family. #policebrutality needs to stop. #sayhisname
A post shared by Zoë Kravitz (@zoeisabellakravitz) on May 27, 2020 at 3:39am PDT
GEORGE FLOYD my heart breaks for you and your family. #policebrutality needs to stop. #sayhisname
A post shared by Zoë Kravitz (@zoeisabellakravitz) on May 27, 2020 at 3:39am PDT
You can donate to demand justice for George Floyd
Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, has started a GoFundMe to assist his family in their time of grief and need. DONATE HERE
The Minnesota Freedom Fund, a grassroots organisation currently working with the National Lawyers Guild and the Legal Rights Center, will use donations to bail out arrested protestors and to supply those on the field. DONATE HERE
Reclaim the Block, a grassroots organisation based in Minneapolis, will use funds to address community needs. DONATE HERE
Black Visions Collective, which is based in Minnesota, focuses its work on transformative justice in the state. DONATE HERE
North Star Health Collective is a group of street medics, radical health organisers, and community health trainers based in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and will use funds for gear and medical supplies on the field. DONATE HERE
Organisers in Louisville, Kentucky–the city that Breonna Taylor lived in–have created a community bail fund for protestors. DONATE HERE
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