Celebrity News May 28, 2020
Hollywood Reacts to the Death of George Floyd
The most famous and influential names in America are demanding justice for George Floyd.
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on Monday shortly after being arrested for a non-violent act in Minneapolis. Video of the arrest shows a white police officer with his knee on Floyd's neck as he says he can't breathe and pleads for help.
All four responding officers have since been fired.
Now, stars like Beyoncé, Halle Berry and John Boyega have reacted online, while Whoopi Goldberg voiced her opinion on “The View.”
Beyoncé posted one of George's yearbook photos on her webpage with the message "rest in power," and Halle tweeted, “I'm so extremely angry. This bulls**t has to stop!"
John sounded-off on Twitter and Instagram. One message reads, "This just burns. Seems to be a never ending cycle. The murderers need to be charged severely. Even in the face of death this man was given zero empathy. #RIPGeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd."
Whoopi told the audience of "The View," "I'm not going to sit by for very much of this anymore. I don't think any of us are.”
More stars shared their grief and outrage, including director Ava DuVernay, who posted this poignant message: "You deserved your breath, your dignity, your life. Not to die in the street, murdered by a white cop's knee on your neck. You deserve our tears, our prayers, our rage, our action. We must act - for you - and for all of those were no cameras are present. We must. #GeorgeFloyd."
You deserved your breath, your dignity, your life. Not to die in the street, murdered by a white cop's knee on your neck. You deserve our tears, our prayers, our rage, our action. We must act - for you - and for all of those were no cameras are present. We must. #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/JeMNUtkXv6
@ava
Lebron James posted a photo of himself in a T-shirt with George's words, “I can't breathe,” with the caption, “STILL!!!! 🤬😢😤.”
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson was a friend of George's and opened up on the “Today” show about the moment Floyd called out for his mother.
“It hurt because I knew that was a cry for help,” he said. “I'm a black man and I'm a strong black man and I know Floyd. That's a call for help.”
Cardi B wrote on Instagram, "Enough is enough! What will it take ? A civil war ? A new president? Violent riots ? It's tired ! I'm tired ! The country is tired !You don't put fear in people when you do this you just show how coward YOU ARE ! And how America is really not the land of the free!"
Justin Bieber said he was sickened by the incident, writing on Instagram, "THIS MUST STOP. this makes me absolutely sick. This makes me angry this man DIED. This makes me sad. Racism is evil We need to use our voice! Please people. I'm sorry GEORGE FLOYD."
Taylor Swift shared a photo of Floyd on Instagram Stories with the hashtag #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd and Halsey tweeted, "rest in power #GeorgeFloyd an unarmed black man who was murdered by a police officer ON CAMERA. this system is failing the people it should protect. where is the accountability?"
Ariana Grande asked followers to take action, tweeting, "#justiceforGeorgeFloyd text FLOYD to 55156 @colorofchange to put pressure on DA Mike Freeman to charge and arrest these officers call 612-348-5550 and please sign the @change petition.”
#justiceforGeorgeFloyd
@ArianaGrande
text FLOYD to 55156@colorofchange
to put pressure on DA Mike Freeman to charge and arrest these officers call 612-348-5550
and please sign the @change petition https://t.co/glMKn5IlPU
"Extra's" Terri Seymour spoke with Naomi Campbell today, who said, “This virus has brought out even more racism in these people who abuse their authority on innocent people.” She added, “We will be speaking and we will be taking action, in a peaceful way. Nobody is going to label us. I am black and I am proud. This is not going away like they wish it would — the whole world is looking at this."
“Extra's” Billy Bush also sat down with Nate Burleson via video to discuss Floyd and some of the big issues facing America. Watch their discussion below.