Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg has taken to social media to encourage fans to use their right to vote, and speak up against police brutality in light of the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of Minneapolis police.
The past few days have seen mass peaceful protests unfurl across the country targeting police brutality and racism. On Sunday evening, Weinberg took to social media to share his thoughts on the protests, and the sheer injustice on display.”Black lives matter. Systemic racism exists. White privilege is real,” he wrote.
“I’m heartbroken to, yet again, witness the oppression and bigotry that Black people in America have consistently endured for centuries — at the hands of a system that’s broken to its very core…
“It’s time to speak up against police brutality and the perpetrators of systemic racism, and to become an ally to those who do not experience the same freedoms that we who share in our white privilege do…
“I’m hopeful that we can use our voices to enact real change. That we can contribute our time, energy, donations, and compassion to fighting for real equality, freedom, and togetherness…
“Educate yourself. Vote. Use your voice. I will.”
This harrowing event has seen musicians are use their public platform to seek justice for not George Floyd, and demand a dismantling of a police system built on a bedrock of racism. Artists and musicians have called for an industry black out, and used their social media platforms to stand in solidarity.
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Yesterday, Beyonçé issued a video message, pleading for justice.
“We need justice for George Floyd,” Beyoncé shared. “We all witnessed his murder in broad daylight. We’re broken and we’re disgusted. We cannot normalize this pain.”
“I’m not only speaking to people of color. If you’re white, black, brown, or anything in-between, I’m sure you feel hopeless about the racism going on in America right now,” Beyoncé continued. “No more senseless killings of human beings. No more seeing people of color as less than human. We can no longer look away.”
Beyoncé continued to encourage fans to sign a series of petitions demanding more charges be brought against Derek Chauvin and the other police officers involved in Floyd’s death.
