American rapper, William Leonard Roberts II, known professionally as Rick Ross, joined protesters in Miramar, Florida to lend his voice to the protests surrounding the death of George Floyd while he was in police custody.
The BLM protest in Florida this weekend became also attracted the man who also lost a son to racial violence, Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s dad.
Tracy Martin father of the late Trayvon Martin attended a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Miramar, where a group of people including Rick Ross gathered to protest the killing of George Floyd.
Tracy reminded the crowd how long it was since his own son was killed by George Zimmerman. It has been more than 8 years.
He also talked about the fact that black people need a “manuscript” to follow if they want to leave their homes and survive police brutality.
Kendrick Lamar is making his return as protests for George Floyd and against police brutality continue across the country. On Sunday, Lamar joined DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook in the Compton Peace Walk from Gateway Towne Center in Los Angeles to Compton City Hall.
The “To Pimp A Butterfly” rapper is said to have blended in with the crowd and made sure that his appearance didn’t take away from the moment. Lamar’s appearance at his hometown protest joins a list of several Hip Hop stars who have taken to the streets to let their voices be heard including Rick Ross, who joined protesters in Miramar, Florida on Saturday and J. Cole who was joined by Dennis Smith Junior in their hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Demonstrators in Riviera Beach came together Sunday for a vigil honoring the men and women they say have fallen victim to police brutality, including George Floyd.
“I think it’s important that we come together and speak up,” said Maria Cole, demonstrator. “This has been going on for far too long and it’s not just about police brutality and police violence and people dying.”
Demonstrators started at the Riviera Beach City Hall and before marching across the Blue Heron Boulevard bridge to Singer Island, held a moment of silence in honor of Floyd for eight minutes and 46 seconds.
“I think the only way that we can be better is if we commit to doing better and I think we can only do better when we have tough conversations and it looks like everybody’s ready to have that tough conversation,” says Ladi March-Goldwire, organizer.
Blueface is facing backlash after making a joke about the death of George Floyd and other acts of police brutality. On Friday, the “Thotiana” rapper was out shopping for furniture for his new place when he was shocked at the price of some of the items and asked for a “George Floyd discount.”
Many took to Twitter to denounce the rapper’s “joke” and didn’t hesitate to light into him for trying to make light of a situation that has resulted in protesters being shot with rubber bullets, being teargassed and more while demonstrating for police reform. Blueface has not responded to his latest criticism.
“Do The Right Thing” director Spike Lee jumped on his bicycle and joined a George Floyd protest in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon. The 63-year-old told his fellow demonstrators that he was there to represent his neighborhood. The Oscar-winning filmmaker, who was wearing a New York Knicks bike helmet slowed down to speak with some protesters who recognized him.