The video of the brutal arrest of George Floyd, an African American who was killed by a white police officer on Monday in the city of Minneapolis (United States), has gone viral. And quickly followed by the outrage of the stars of American pop culture that spread on the Internet.
So many celebrities like Beyoncé, Cardi B or Kim Kardashian have posted tribute photos on their personal sites or social networks, expressing their sadness and demanding justice. The phrase " I can not breathe ", heard on the video of the murder and become a rallying cry of the Black Lives Matter movement ("The life of blacks counts"), was massively taken up by American personalities.
This is not the first time that celebrities have been outraged after the unjust murder of a black American citizen. The last mobilization dates from the death of Ahmaud Arbery, killed on February 23 in Brunswick (Georgia) while he was jogging, and who ignited social networks with the hashtag #IRunWithMaud (("I'm running with Maud"), the young man’s nickname.
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Calls for donations
Like many others, Justin Bieber published the video of the murder, explaining that these images "Make you sick" and that the death of George Floyd puts him " angry ". “Racism is a scourge. We must make our voices heard! ", he added. The star of Star Wars, actor John Boyega, delivered a plea against racism:
"It is very, very important right now to ignore ignorance, and those who try to make these events what they are not. A black man was murdered in cold blood on the street. As he screamed that he couldn't breathe. So I will say it once more: go get fucked up ***, racist whites. "
Others have decided to initiate a change by making donations to The Minnesota Freedom Fund, which was created to help low-income individuals pay their bail. As reported The Hollywood Reporter, actors such as Steve Carell, Seth Rogen and Ben Schwartz tweeted that they were going to contribute.
Former American football star Colin Kaepernick has decided to launch Know Your Rights Camp, which raises funds to finance the lawyers' fees for protesters – who are seeking justice for George Floyd – who have been arrested in Minneapolis in recent days.
NBA stars outraged
On the NBA side, the mobilization is led by LeBron James. The terrible scene, filmed by a passer-by, inspired the Lakers player to make a parallel with the knee placed on the ground by Colin Kaepernick, several times in 2016 and 2017, in protest against police violence against blacks.
" That's why ", wrote on his Instagram account the triple NBA champion, under a photo montage showing on one side the white policeman kneeling on the neck of George Floyd and on the other the ex-quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers a knee on the ground the edge of a field before an NFL game. "You understand now !! ?? !! ?? Or is it still unclear? "added James.
"It is murder. Sickening », tweeted Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr. "Seriously, what's wrong with us ???? "
The revolt was tinged with pain for former Warriors and San Antonio Spurs player Stephen Jackson, who knew the victim. "Floyd was my brother. We were called “Twins”. My brother was in Minnesota because he changed his life, he drove trucks (…) and you killed him. I'm on my way to Minnesota. Justice will be done ", he wrote on his Instagram account.
Outraged by the presidential reaction
American singer Taylor Swift was particularly outraged by the head of state’s comments on the riots in Minneapolis, which appeared to threaten protesters with the use of armed force. She then called to vote against the outgoing president.
After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral sup… https://t.co/zj5aBuKZfF
"Having fueled the fire of white supremacy and racism since the start of your mandate, you have the nerve to play on moral authority before threatening (of use) violence ", the 30-year-old artist wrote on his Twitter account. "We are going to vote to drive you out in November. "
Taylor Swift long refused to talk about politics and had become a popular artist with the Conservatives. But since 2018, it has taken a stand for Democratic candidates.
