
5 Celebrities Using Their Star Power to Reform Policing and Justice
In the early days of the widespread protests after George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police, CNN’s Don Lemon questioned why so many celebrities were completely silent on the matter.
Since then, many musicians, athletes and actors have used their social media platforms to actively support the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and encourage their followers to demand police reform.
Here are some of the most poignant posts:
Kim Kardashian West
Although she’s been widely mocked for years, West has made serious strides when it comes to criminal justice reform. Before Floyd’s murder, she met with President Trump at least twice to advocate for those who are serving long sentences for non-violent drug offenses.
She is also working towards obtaining her law degree, with the hopes that she can help free those who have been sentenced to long prison terms for non-violent crimes. She plans to take the bar in 2022.
She was one of the first celebrities to comment on George Floyd, writing, “Even though I will never know the pain and suffering they have endured, or what it feels like to try to survive in a world plagued by systemic racism, I know I can use my own voice to help amplify those voices that have been muffled for too long.”
In addition to using social media to raise awareness, she has posted many resources on Instagram so her audience can support the Black Lives Matter cause. This includes encouraging people to donate, sign petitions, and vote in primary elections.
Kardashian has donated to several organizations, such as the NAACP, Black Lives Matter, National Urban League, and Color of Change.
She says, “Diversity, equality, and inclusion are at the core of my businesses and our community,” and thus wants to actively participate in the push for “the change that needs to take place.”
Her husband, Kanye West, has also donated $2 million to the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd to pay for legal fees and expenses.
Kayne West created a college fund for George Floyd’s six-year-old daughter, Gianna, which fully covers all tuition.
Michael B. Jordan
The actor participated in the Los Angeles Black Lives Matter Protest to show his support for BLM.
At the protest, he stated, “I’m proud to have an inclusion rider and all that good stuff, and I use my power to demand diversity, but it’s time the studios and agencies and all these buildings we stand in front of to do the same.”
Michael B. Jordan at the #BlackLivesMatter protest in Beverly Hills, California (June 6, 2020) pic.twitter.com/qD8cIKDKw4
— francis • (@ezrasqueer) June 6, 2020
Along with telling protestors to vote on his social media platforms, Jordan challenges police brutality and demands that the entertainment industry hire more Black actors and storytellers.
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick became “the face of the new civil rights movement” when he repeatedly kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial inequality.
He founded Know Your Rights Camp, a campaign launched to promote the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through self empowerment and education.
He continues his civil rights advocacy by speaking out on George Floyd’s death.In 2016, @Kaepernick7 was asked if he or his protests could be seen as un-American.
— ESPN (@espn) June 9, 2020
This was his answer: pic.twitter.com/0ATDqYUehC
When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction.
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) May 28, 2020
The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance.
We have the right to fight back!
Rest in Power George Floyd
He also announced that he will defend people who have been arrested during the Minneapolis protests.
Through Know Your Rights Camp, Kapernick created a Legal Defense Initiative to raise funds to hire defense lawyers and pay legal fees for people who have been impacted by police brutality.
Cole Sprouse
Actor Cole Sprouse has been posting about how he must stand as an ally for people of color.
On June 1, Sprouse posted on Instagram an image of a Black Lives Matter graphic, along with a caption explaining his experience at a Santa Monica protest.
In this post, Sprouse announced that as he was peacefully protesting, he was detained and arrested. He states these actions further emphasize that now is “a time about standing ground near others as a situation escalates, providing educated support, demonstrating and doing the right thing.”
To further support this movement, Sprouse posted a link to a comprehensive document containing support resources for the Black Lives Matter Movement and encouraged all of his 32.6 million followers to donate, learn more about the subject, and take action.
YG
Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson, more commonly known as YG, is a rapper and longtime supporter of the Black Lives Matter Movement.
However, there is some controversy over how he advocates for this movement.
On June 7, YG collaborated with Black Lives Matter LA and its co-founder, Patrisse Cullors, to lead the Los Angeles protest, which included 50,000 participants.
YG recorded this peaceful demonstration and used the footage for a music video. This music video was for his new track “FTP,” which reprimands the police and their treatment of the Black community.
Many people criticized him for using the moment for commercial purposes.
After many accusations, YG announced, “I don’t question your advocacy and don’t think you should question mine."
This article is intended to convey generally useful information only and does not constitute legal advice. Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author, not LawChamps.

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