Beyoncé, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Rosario Dawson and more than a dozen other celebrities have teamed with Alicia Keys and her social justice nonprofit We Are Here to produce a three-minute PSA entitled, “23 Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black In America.”
The star-studded cast of celebrities are seen in brief, individually spliced clips listing 23 scenarios that have resulted in the police-involved deaths of black men and women over the past few years.
The artists invoke some of the more high-profile incidents.
“Selling CDs, outside of a supermarket,” Empire actress Taraji P. Henson says, referencing Alton Sterling, who was shot and killed last week by Baton Rouge police.
“Riding in your girlfriend’s car with a child in the back,” says Beyoncé, speaking of Philando Castile, who was shot and killed last week by a Minnesota police officer.
The PSA also features Bono, Adam Levine, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lenny Kravitz, Rihanna, Tracee Ellis Ross, Pharrell Williams and Jennifer Hudson.
Many of the stars featured in the PSA, including Dawson and singer Maxwell, took to social media to share the video.
Signing this petition is 1 small step 4 us, 1 giant leap 4 racial justice. Join us: https://t.co/9uKLdp2vkv #23Ways https://t.co/6NmbPDfG1X
— Rosario Dawson (@rosariodawson) July 13, 2016
23 Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black in America https://t.co/sSgD72VMb9 via @YouTube pic.twitter.com/u9bSBz9l1Q
— MAXWELL (@_MAXWELL_) July 13, 2016
Keys, along with several other celebrities, also shared a We Are Here Movement petition aimed at promoting their cause for “racial justice in America.”
Signing this petition is one small step for us, one giant leap for racial justice. Join us: https://t.co/XzUHperFFU https://t.co/xomg21QXnD
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) July 13, 2016
If we reach 100k signatures, the @WhiteHouse must review our petition. Make your voice heard: https://t.co/N3j7utZJEe #23Ways
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) July 13, 2016
“Add your name to tell President Obama and Congress that the time for change is now,” the organization’s petition reads.
“We must right our historic wrongs and heal the wounds of systemic racism so that all Americans have the equal right to pursue happiness.”
Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter: @jeromeehudson
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