
Voices Cry Out
Prominent Black Figures Use Social Media to Respond to George Floyd Death, Protests
Over the weekend, demonstrations swept across America in protest of the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Major cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Washington D.C. saw thousands take to the streets to bring attention to Floyd’s death, and former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, – who placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for over 8 minutes – was arrested on May 29 and charged with third-degree murder.
In response to Floyd’s death and the protests, several prominent black figures took to social media, delivering statements that expressed their anger and frustration with the treatment of black people in America.
Below are several of the statements, beginning with President Barack Obama:
My statement on the death of George Floyd: pic.twitter.com/Hg1k9JHT6R
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 29, 2020
President Barack Obama on Medium.com
I wrote out some thoughts on how to make this moment a real turning point to bring about real change––and pulled together some resources to help young activists sustain the momentum by channeling their energy into concrete action. https://t.co/jEczrOeFdv
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 1, 2020
First Lady Michelle Obama
Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 29, 2020
It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets. I pray we all have the strength for that journey, just as I pray for the souls and the families of those who were taken from us.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 29, 2020
Maya Angelou
“Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.” #MayaAngelou
— Maya Angelou (@DrMayaAngelou) May 30, 2020
"The plague of racism is insidious, entering into our minds as smoothly and quietly and invisibly as floating airborne microbes enter into our bodies to find lifelong purchase in our bloodstreams." #MayaAngelou
— Maya Angelou (@DrMayaAngelou) May 31, 2020
Rev. Jesse Jackson
I had to visit the memorial. Simply Heartbroken… #GeorgeFloyd. We must seek justice and peace. A man lost his life. His life mattered. May justice prevail. Praying for the Floyd family. Praying for peace. #RIP 🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/jXGC5UKKOL
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) May 29, 2020
Rev. Jesse Jackson reacts to the death of George Floyd saying, "if Floyd murdered a white person, he'd be in jail today." https://t.co/CAWZlW5wDF pic.twitter.com/ZsP5a7pkDG
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) May 28, 2020
Martin Luther King III
As my father explained during his lifetime, a riot is the language of the unheard.
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) May 28, 2020
No justice, no peace. No justice, no peace. No justice, no peace.
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) May 30, 2020
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
It’s about respect & human decency and how we share that with each other. #ShowYouCarehttps://t.co/NqMDQSPeLX
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) May 31, 2020
Stacey Abrams
Let’s be clear: police brutality murdered George, "no-knock" warrants murdered Breonna Taylor, and citizen's arrest laws murdered Ahmaud Arbery.
All of them should be alive today, and we—as public servants—have an obligation to demand reforms and repeal these archaic laws. 2/2
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) May 27, 2020
Kamala Harris
Black blood stains the sidewalks of America. Folks are in pain and have been for a long time. pic.twitter.com/H4jsJHucmx
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 30, 2020
Oprah Winfrey
#GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/yPp5aQIdHG
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) May 29, 2020
Jay Z
.@GovTimWalz #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/lkM2NdrIZF
— Roc Nation (@RocNation) June 1, 2020
LeBron James
Why Doesn’t America Love US!!!!!????TOO. 😭😭🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ #HeadHighandStayStrong🙏🏾💪🏾 #WeAllWeGot✊🏾👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 31, 2020
Colin Kaepernick
When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction.
The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance.
We have the right to fight back!
Rest in Power George Floyd
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) May 28, 2020
Serena Williams
Rihanna
If intentional MURDER is the fit consequence for “drugs” or “resisting arrest”….then what’s the fit consequence for MURDER???! #GeorgeFloyd #AhmaudArbery #BreonnaTaylor pic.twitter.com/iK9SYkaAGb
— Rihanna (@rihanna) May 30, 2020
Michael Jordan
Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/lWkZOf1Tmr
— Jordan (@Jumpman23) May 31, 2020
Tiger Woods
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 2, 2020
Quincy Jones
It’s hard to know what to say because I’ve been dealing with racism my entire life. That said, it’s rearing its ugly head right now & by God it’s time to deal with it once & for all. My team & I stand for justice. Convos will be had & action will be taken. #THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED pic.twitter.com/0pehqgGN6o
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) May 31, 2020
Ilhan Omar
Rep. Ilhan Omar (@ilhan @IlhanMN) on protests in Minneapolis and George Floyd death: "To watch our city burn really is one of the most devastating things that has happened to us. It's also devastating to know the anger and the frustration that people feel." pic.twitter.com/FZevdq1DEd
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 28, 2020
Our anger is just.
Our anger is warranted.
And our priority right now must be protecting one another.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 28, 2020
We should and must protest peacefully.
But let us end the cycle of violence now.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 28, 2020
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Police brutality + targeting Black communities: unjust
100k+ COVID deaths w/ disproportionate Black impact: needless
40+ million unemployed: unnecessary
Poverty: unnecessary
Homelessness: unnecessary
Low wages: unnecessaryNone of this has to happen.
A new way is possible.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 29, 2020
.@AOC: If you're calling for an end to unrest, but not calling out police brutality, not calling for health care as a human right, not calling for an end to housing discrimination, all you're asking for is the continuation of quiet oppression. pic.twitter.com/4qiCCxKvdl
— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) May 30, 2020