Beyonce demands justice for Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and victims of police brutality
'We don't need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives'
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Beyoncé issued a statement on her website speaking out against the widespread killings of black people by police officers throughout the United States.
“We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities,” the statement reads, written in bold white font against a black background. “It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they 'stop killing us'.”
Beyoncé halted a Thursday night performance in Glasgow to sing an a capella rendition of "Freedom," and held a brief moment of silence for victims of police violence. She displayed the names of the victims, "and countless others", over the stage.
Over the past year, the singer has used images to demonstrate her support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Beyoncé involving mothers of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, and Mike Brown in her “Lemonade” video. Additionally she appeared with backup dancers dressed as Black Panthers during the most recent Super Bowl halftime show.
Dancers appeared in a brief video after the performance demanding “Justice for Mario Woods,” a black man slain by San Francisco police in December.
“We're going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished,” Beyoncé’s Thursday afternoon statement said.
Beyoncé’s response comes after the consecutive deaths of Alton Sterling, 37, and Philando Castile, 32, both of whom were shot by police within 48 hours of each other. Both shootings were captured on video and widely shared across social media platforms.
The aftermath of Mr Castile’s shooting was broadcast on Facebook Live by his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds.
In her statement, Beyoncé urged readers to channel their anger about the recent killings into political action, including links to legislators.
“We must use our voices to contact the politicians and legislators in our districts and demand social and judicial changes,” she added.
“While we pray for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, we will also pray for an end to this plague of injustice in our communities.”
Read the full statement below:
We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities.
It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they “Stop killing us”.
We don't need sympathy.
We need everyone to respect our lives.
We're going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished.
These robberies of lives make us feel helpless and hopeless, but we have to believe that we are fighting for the rights of the next generation, for the next young men and women who believe in good.
This is a human fight. No matter your race, gender, or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalised, who is struggling for freedom and human rights.
This is not a plea to all police officers but toward any being who fails to value life. The war on people of colour and all minorities needs to be over.
Fear is not an excuse. Hate will not win.
We all have the power to channel our anger and frustration into action. We must use our voices to contact the politicians and legislators in our districts and demand social and judicial changes.
While we pray for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, we will also pray for an end to this plague of injustice in our communities.
Click in to contact the politicians and legislators in your area.
Your voice will be heard.
– Beyoncé
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