Since the murder of George Floyd on May 25th, when a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes, suffocating him in broad daylight, the entire world has come together to demand justice and systemic change.
As thousands of people around the world come together to protest, many celebrities have been speaking out on social media , marching, and donating to various anti-racism foundations — trying their best to use their influence and wealth to help set a new precedent.
RELATED STORIES
Information about the ongoing protests in the U.S. and around the world is rapidly changing and Diply is committed to providing the most recent data as it becomes available. Some of the information in this story may have changed since publication, and we encourage readers to follow their local trusted news outlet(s) to stay up to date on the latest information surrounding these events.
We are currently watching history unfold. Not only are we living through a pandemic, but a revolution as well.
While there have been far too many examples of police officers needlessly killing black people, the murder of George Floyd last week has triggered a — not only American — but global movement.
While it is absolutely horrifying to think that in the year 2020, black people are still having to fight for equal rights, something that should be a given, it has been powerful to watch everyone — celebrities included — come together and demand long overdue change.
Many celebrities are using the resources accessible to them to help cultivate change — donating to causes that support the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
1. Halsey.
“Please look at this thread. My initial contributions are $100,000 to the various organizations I have included. I encourage you and my peers to contribute whatever you can. Every amount counts!!!!!,” she tweeted , along with a link, encouraging her fans to donate as well.
2. Kehlani.
On Thursday, singer, Kehlani, matched rapper, Noname’s $1,000 donation.
“Calling all celebrity accounts from Oakland to match. calling anyone who cannot match to contribute any smaller amount. all helps!!!!,” she tweeted , revealing that she donated $2000.
3. G-Eazy.
Rapper, G-Eazy followed Kehlani’s lead, tweeting: “Matched my sis @Kehlani asking everyone else who can to step up and help contribute to @PeoplesBreakOak,” along with a screenshot of his $2000 donation .
He did a really good thing by doing this.
4. Jameela Jamil.
Jameela Jamil also tweeted, revealing that she matched the initial $1000 donation by Noname. People praised her for doing so and passing on the word.
“Matched. Celebrity accounts that follow me please match and pass it on,” she tweeted .
5. Janelle Monáe.
Janelle also matched the $1,000 donation to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, following the wave that Noname, Kehlani, G-Eazy, Jameela Jamil, and many others were on.
“Just matched you,” she tweeted . Many thanked the star for doing what she can.
6. Drake.
After donating $100,000 to a cause that benefits black families in America, Drake revealed that his contribution was initially flagged.
“They just called fraud on my card LOL,” Drake said . “I donated 100K. They were like nah .”
Thankfully, his donation went through, and a screenshot was shared as proof.
7. The Weeknd.
Drake wasn’t the only Toronto artist to make a significant contribution. The Weeknd wasted no time to give a very sizable donation.
The Weeknd donated a whopping $500,000 to various causes such as Black Lives Matter Global Network, Know Your Rights, and National Bail Out.
“Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Urging everyone with big pockets to give and give big and if you have less please give what you can even if it’s a small amount . #blacklivesmatter.”
8. Seth Rogen.
Knocked Up star, and comedian, Seth Rogen, revealed on Twitter that he matched a $50 donation to the Minnesota Freedom Fund to bail out the protestors in Minneapolis.
On top of that, he donated “much more”. We’re happy to see him giving so much to the cause.
9. Harry Styles.
Styles has always made sure to give his voice to worthy causes.
“I’m donating to help post bail for arrested organizers,” Harry tweeted . “Look inwards, educate yourself and others. LISTEN, READ, SHARE, DONATE and VOTE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
10. Chrissy Teigen and John Legend.
“In celebration of whatever the [expletive] maga night is, I am committed to donating $100,000 to the bail outs of protestors across the country,” Chrissy tweeted on Saturday, later adding , “Ooo they might need more money then. Make it $200,000.”
11. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.
“We’ve never had to worry about preparing our kids for different rules of law or what might happen if we’re pulled over in the car,” the pair both shared in a statement on social media. “We don’t know what it’s like to experience that life day in and day out. We can’t imagine feeling that kind of fear and anger. We’re ashamed that in the past we’ve allowed ourselves to be uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is.”
Ryan and Blake ended up donating $200,000 to NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Thank you to all of these celebs and everyone else who has been contributing, financially and otherwise, to causes that support the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Every bit helps! It is always important to do whatever you can for a worthy cause.
