Jamie Foxx, Kanye West and other stars have joined the protests against police brutality that began after the death of yet another unarmed black man, George Floyd.
They’ve been part of the massive number of people taking to the streets of Minneapolis, the city where Floyd died, and elsewhere — Atlanta, Chicago, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and beyond — often carrying signs supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and decrying racial inequality.
Jamie Foxx
The Oscar winner kicked off the weekend on May 29 by speaking at a Minneapolis protest. “We’re not afraid to stand. We’re not afraid of the moment,” Foxx said.
By the following Monday, after a weekend in which peaceful protests in some places devolved into violence, he was part of a “kneel-in” protest in San Francisco, in which participants dropped to their knee in honor of Floyd while chanting, as Floyd did, “I can’t breathe.” He instructed other celebs to take action as well: “My Hollywood friends, you gotta get out here. You can’t sit back, you can’t tweet, you can’t text,” he said, per Los Angeles Times reporter Johana Bhuiyan.
Jamie Foxx, Kanye West and other stars have joined the protests against police brutality that began after the death of yet another unarmed black man, George Floyd.
They’ve been part of the massive number of people taking to the streets of Minneapolis, the city where Floyd died, and elsewhere — Atlanta, Chicago, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and beyond — often carrying signs supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and decrying racial inequality.
Jamie Foxx
The Oscar winner kicked off the weekend on May 29 by speaking at a Minneapolis protest. “We’re not afraid to stand. We’re not afraid of the moment,” Foxx said.
By the following Monday, after a weekend in which peaceful protests in some places devolved into violence, he was part of a “kneel-in” protest in San Francisco, in which participants dropped to their knee in honor of Floyd while chanting, as Floyd did, “I can’t breathe.” He instructed other celebs to take action as well: “My Hollywood friends, you gotta get out here. You can’t sit back, you can’t tweet, you can’t text,” he said, per Los Angeles Times reporter Johana Bhuiyan.
Johana Bhuiyan✔@JMBooyah · Jun 1, 2020Replying to @JMBooyah
Jaime Foxx calls on his Hollywood friends to stop tweeting and come out2418:31 PM – Jun 1, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy97 people are talking about this
Kanye West
The rapper was part of an event in Chicago, where people marched to demand that the city’s schools keep police officers out, according to NBC 5 Chicago. Earlier the same day, West donated $2 million to the families and legal teams of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Additionally, he established a college fund for Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter, Gianna.
Steph and Ayesha Curry
“Today was a movement in Oakland!” the Golden State Warriors star captioned a video of a “Walking in Unity” event that he and wife Ayesha Curry attended. It was organized by his Warriors teammate Juan Toscano-Anderson, whom he thanked for the leadership. “Everybody play your role and be consistent with it. This is a real moment of change.” He encouraged people to keep each other accountable. Meanwhile, she urged people to vote.
Nick Cannon
Cannon marched in Minneapolis wearing a hoodie that said, “Please I Can’t Breathe” and carrying a “Justice for Floyd” poster.
Keke Palmer
During a protest in L.A., the actress spoke with members of the National Guard. In a video captured by NBC’s Gadi Schwartz, she said, “You have a president talking about the Second Amendment as a use for people to come out here and use firearms against the people protesting. This is the message that we’re seeing.” Palmer explained that the guardsmen needed to see the protestors’ side. “We have a president that’s trying to incite a race war, and when the borders are closed. We can’t leave. You have people in here that need your help. This is when you and y’all can stand together with the community, with society, to stop the governmental oppression. Period. We need you.” While the video showed Palmer — and ultimately everyone else — urging the men to march with them, they said they couldn’t leave their station. They ended up kneeling with the crowd where they were as a compromise. The moment was a powerful one and led to calls for Palmer to run for office.
John Boyega
Star Wars actor Boyega grabbed the megaphone at a June 3 protest in his native London. “Black lives have always mattered,” he said in an emotional speech. “We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded regardless. And now is the time. I ain’t waiting.” He paid tribute to George Floyd and other black people who died following police encounters. “I’m speaking to you from my heart,” Boyega added. “Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this, but f*** that.”
Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer
The TV stars showed up together at an L.A. protest. “I’ve been sitting at home all week thinking about what it is that I can do,” Anderson said on a microphone. “I thought about giving money, which I have, but more importantly, my presence is something that needed to be felt and known, because it’s all about boots on the ground.” Anderson said that when he told Cedric the Entertainer that he planned to go to rally, the comedian answered, “I’m on my way to get you.”
Cynthia Bailey
Bailey, who audiences know from projects such as Star and Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens, made a family day of fighting for racial justice and equality. “Progress is being made, and we must continue to make our voices heard,” Bailey said. She added that she was “blown away by all the love & unity that surrounded me.”
