People all over the world have been mourning the tragic deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Their deaths only add to the ever-increasing number of African Americans who have been killed by police in recent years. Beyoncé recently made a powerful tribute to their deaths and other black victims of police brutality.
On Thursday morning, the international pop star shared a powerful message on her website condemning police brutality. Later, during a stop on her Formation World Tour in Glasgow, Scotland, Beyoncé went even further, asking for a moment of silence for black lives lost to police brutality. During the silence, a list of victims' names, including Sterling and Castile, appeared on screen.
Beyoncé just paused her Glasgow show for a moment of silence, displaying victims of police brutality. #AltonSterlingpic.twitter.com/3T8KyAkfIA
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 7, 2016
She then went on to perform a chilling a cappella performance of her song “Freedom.” The song was the perfect choice for the tribute, with many believing it was written in reference to the Black Lives Matter campaign. Lyrics from the song include, “Channel 9 news tell me I’m movin’ backwards/ Eight blocks left, death is around the corner/ Seven misleadin’ statements ‘bout my persona” as well as “Freedom! Freedom I can’t move/ Freedom, cut me loose!/ Freedom! Freedom! Where are you?”
Beyoncé is one of many celebrities who have paid tribute to victims of police brutality against African Americans. We wish this unnecessary violence against the black community would finally come to an end so there would be no need for such tributes. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of all victims. And, if one thing is for sure, this violence needs to end now.