R&B singers are speaking out against police brutality following this week’s shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
On Tuesday night, Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was fatally shot six times by two police officers in Baton Rogue, La. while selling CDs outside a convenience store.
The horrific incident was captured on a cell phone by a nearby witness, which sparked national outrage.
It gets worse.
Less than 24 hours later in Minnesota, Castile, a 32-year-old black man with no criminal record, was shot to death in his car by an officer during a traffic stop. Castile was in the process of showing his ID to the officer. Before reaching into his pocket, he told the officer that he had a concealed carry permit.
His life was ended right in front of his four-year-old daughter and girlfriend. Again, this murder was caught on video thanks to his girlfriend who began streaming the incident live on Facebook.
Sterling’and Castile’s name joins the list of over 130 black people killed by police so far in 2016. The routine execution of black people by the police force is an American issue that needs to be addressed and solved.
From Beyoncé to John Legend, R&B singers are using their platform to make their voices heard by the masses.
Beyoncé
John Legend
Being against cops killing is not equal to being for killing cops. We need peace in our streets.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) July 8, 2016
Eric Benet
If u mourn the death of #AltonSterling & #PhilandoCastile but u celebrate the death of cops. You’ve just become the thing that you hate.
— Eric Benet (@ebenet) July 8, 2016
Maxwell
“love will heal the end of trials but we need to do somethin people ~ we need to resolve the conflict between us. pic.twitter.com/9kmgmiwR2G
— MAXWELL (@_MAXWELL_) July 8, 2016
Kelly Rowland
….what’s the excuse this time?
This is ridiculous!
Sad, ANGRY, and disappointed in a system… https://t.co/3ttdHXLhQV— KELENDRIA ROWLAND (@KELLYROWLAND) July 7, 2016
Trey Songz
I appreciate and thank the people not of black or brown color that understand our pain. That see the truth with ease and hurt when we do.
— Trey Songz (@TreySongz) July 7, 2016
Michelle Williams
NONE of this is RIGHT! #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile #DallasPoliceShooting
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) July 8, 2016
The Weeknd
enough is enough. it’s time to stand up for this. we can either sit and watch, or do something about it. the time is now. #blacklivesmatter
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) July 7, 2016
K. Michelle
#AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile pic.twitter.com/Uz9doU9JkW
— K. Michelle (@kmichelle) July 7, 2016
Chrisette Michele
Dear Good Sir @WalshFreedom can you help me understand why reaching for your license gets you killed in front of your wife and child?
— chrisette michele (@ChrisetteM) July 8, 2016
Tiffany Evans
When people like Jesse Williams stand up, they want to try and teach us a lesson. But great satan don’t know that his time is about to be up
— Tiffany Evans (@Mstiffevans) July 6, 2016
Normani Kordei (Fifth Harmony)
#BlackLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatter #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile pic.twitter.com/9Tu6eGdjOK
— Normani Kordei (@NormaniKordei) July 7, 2016
Ro James
— RoJamesXIX (@RoJamesXIX) July 7, 2016
Elle Varner
#BLACKLIVESMATTER WAS CREATED BECA– USE BLACK LIVES ARE AT INCREDIBLY HIGH RISK NOT BECA– USE WE THINK OTHER LIVES DONT MATTER AS WELL
— Elle Veezy (@ellevarner) July 8, 2016
Luke James
still killin us
— Luke James (@whoisLukejames) July 6, 2016
