On May 25, George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black resident of Minnesota, was brutally murdered by the Minnesota Police Department. An officer was filmed kneeling on Floyd’s neck for several minutes, ignoring his repeated pleas that he couldn’t breathe. For their roles in Floyd’s death, four officers were fired and the officer that was seen pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck, along with the other three, have since been arrested and charged with murder and manslaughter.
In the wake of George Floyd’s senseless murder, many protests against police brutality and racial injustice have been sparked across the country and the world as well. Many celebrities, including Toni Braxton, Kevin Hart, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, La La Anthony, and Ciara, have taken to social media to call for justice for Floyd and express their concerns about the future generation, knowing the dangers their children face just because of their skin color.
Toni Braxton:
“I’m a mother…look at my sons…@denimbraxton just finished high school on Thursday. He and @diezel.braxton are so young and ready to discover their way in life and there’s nothing I can do to protect them from the hate because of their beautiful black skin. No matter where they go in this world, I will always be their BMW. 🤎#blackmomworried.”
“As a father I’m worried about the future of our next generation of black men & the generations after that & the ones after that. If we do not do our job right now & do what we can to have a law put in place to help us feel protected in these streets then this type of crime will continue to happen without a worry in the world. A law needs to be put in place that will make these officers accountable as well as the other officers who are present at the scene of the crime.”
“This needs to happen….This shouldn’t even be a discussion it should be an immediate ACTION!!!!! We need all of you governors & mayors to step up and do the right thing. I don’t know how to go about this but I promise you that I will try my best to figure it out…..ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We deserve the right to feel safe. A law like this will give us a level of comfort. Consequences to such ridiculous acts should be immediate and known by all. 20 yrs in prison or life in prison….it has to be something….the other officers present that don’t stop or prevent these acts should get time as well….SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM NOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!! Point blank…. Enough is Enough!”
Salli Richardson Whitfield:
“How do I explain this crazy, complicated world, to these two innocent beautiful children? What kind of world are they walking into? My heart aches😞#blacklivesmatter #mychildren #protect #fightthepower @parker.whitfield.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA27MFMlyps/
“This is America in 2020. It’s sickening. Light em up is what they say. And people are still asking why are we mad⁉️I’m mad because my son is 13 years old and this is the world he’s growing up in. He’s seeing how much his life matters right in front of his eyes. It’s sad. It’s scary. I stand with all the families demanding justice. #justiceforgeorgefloyd #justiceforahmaudarbery #justiceforbreonnataylor.”
“My sweet Baby Boy. I pray that when you get older A CHANGE will finally have come!! I’m going to keep my FAITH! I’m praying that the losses of our Black Kings and Queens won’t be in vain. Enough is Enough! I’m praying for UNITY! I’m praying for the powers that be to unite and decide that it’s time for a change! ❤️.”
