Beyoncé has written an open letter about the shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two black man who were killed by police officers this week.
Sterling was shot and killed outside of a convenience store when police responded to an anonymous complaint of an armed man. Castile was shot and killed during a traffic stop when the officer thought he was reaching for his gun–Castile had already made the cop aware that he was carrying a licensed firearm.
The killings sparked outrage after video footage of the two men’s shootings went viral online and caused many prominent figures to speak out on the incidents.
“We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities,” the artist wrote on her website.
“It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they ‘stop killing us.’
We don’t need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives.
We’re going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished.
These robberies of lives makes us feel helpless and hopeless but we have to believe that we are fighting for the rights of the next generation, for the next young men and women who believe in good.
This is a human fight. No matter your race, gender or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalized, who is struggling for freedom and human rights.
This is not a plea to all police officers but toward any human being who fails to value life. The war on people of color and all minorities needs to be over.
Fear is not an excuse. Hate will not win.
We all have the power to channel our anger and frustration into action. We must use our voices to contact the politicians and legislators in our districts and demand social and judicial changes.
While we pray for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, we will also pray for an end to this plague of injustice in our communities.
Click in to contact the politicians and legislators in your area. Your voice will be heard.
– Beyonce”
Clicking on the letter reveals links that direct users to the home pages of the Louisiana State Legislature, the Minnesota State Legislatures and to a contact page for congress members. All of which people can voice their concerns on.
Beyoncé is known for making statements on police brutality and racial injustice. Her Super Bowl halftime show performance of “Formation,” made headlines when she payed tribute to the Black Panthers and the Black Lives Matter movement.