Rock Artists React to George Floyd Protests
Protests against police brutality across the United States and the world have taken place over the weekend following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man, by white Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.
Images and videos of these protests have quickly circulated on social media and have led to a number of reactions throughout the rock community. Below are just a selection of notable reactions from artists including Duff McKagan, Sammy Hagar, Lzzy Hale and Zoltan Bathory from Five Finger Death Punch.
Duff McKagan
“Well..this cop on Black racism has to stop…but we’ve known this forever. I’m more and more stunned and sickened when I hear of this stuff continuously happening. I am not a black man..so I can’t even pretend to understand what it’s like….but even MORE, I can’t understand what it’s like to be a racist white dipshit. I don’t get it. I will never ‘get’ it. Thankfully, I grew up different. Police training and vetting of new and old officers has to change radically. For starters…Peace to all of us. #justiceforgeorgefloyd”
Jay Weinberg of Slipknot
“Black lives matter. Systemic racism exists. White privilege is real. 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.”
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...
— Jay Weinberg (@jayweinbergdrum) May 31, 2020
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...
— Jay Weinberg (@jayweinbergdrum) May 31, 2020
Educate yourself. Vote. Use your voice. I will.
— Jay Weinberg (@jayweinbergdrum) May 31, 2020
Zoltan Bathory of Five Finger Death Punch
“Being a long time supporter of 1st responders – I Got a few messages asking “if I still support them after all this” [?] Yes… I support the constitution, truth, justice, human rights and our civil liberties and I support all those who defend it. I support the kind of Police, who – just like the rest of us – are disgusted by the actions of that POS murderer and his colleagues who were assisting or standing idle – they tarnished the badge, violated the oath – and without a question they murdered George. No sane person can watch that video without disgust and absolute f—ing Rage. Justice needs to be Served 1000% to its full extent for all involved. The absolute maximum and then some. However, don’t let politically motivated goons hijack your emotions, push you where you should not go , and divide this nation even further. Focus on the guilty and focus on the problem – and the solution of the problem. Beating up innocents, robbing their stores, setting communities on fire have nothing to do with justice, and certainly isn’t done in the honor of Georg Floyd – don’t join the senseless violent mob – they are not helping – they are not here for YOU – and they make all of this much much worse. Oh…. And to some blue checkmarks and media jackasses who were instigating and fanning the flame, may you rot in hell – now there is blood on your hands too.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3_jKpnj3X/
Sammy Hagar
“As if we don’t already have enough problems with COVID-19. #StopTheViolence #StopPrejudice #ComeTogether #DontHate #Peace #StayTheF*ckHome”
As if we don’t already have enough problems with COVID-19. #StopTheViolence #StopPrejudice #ComeTogether #DontHate #Peace #StayTheFuckHome pic.twitter.com/5afbdgTaii
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) May 31, 2020
Adam Lambert
“#blacklivesmatter #policebrutality I’m scanning through the comments on this post and am appalled by the handful of ignorant, right-wing, tone-deaf comments that snowball into negative arguments. It’s one thing to have an opinion, but there are a few of you that are no longer welcome on my feed. To be clear: I’m not supporting violence and destruction. I am supporting the right to be enraged… to refuse to bow down. When it comes to matters of human rights, I refuse to support any opposition. Anyone that responds to BLACK LIVES MATTER w “All lives matter” is an a–h*le. You should know why that’s problematic by now. If you don’t, quit looking at my posts and educate yourself.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0eFeNhOmb/?utm_source=ig_embed
Nuno Bettencourt
Chris Jericho
“Please Stop rioting… #PeaceAndLove”
Phil Labonte from All That Remains
“These are some crazy f—ing pics.”
These are some crazy fucking pics. https://t.co/710sNitdQ3
— Phil Labonte (@philthatremains) May 31, 2020
Corey Glover of Living Colour
“You get killed just for living in… your American Skin.”
Lzzy Hale
“Killing In The Name Of. Artists and musicians have always played an important role in the fight for change. We will use our art, our music and our passion to inspire, ignite and be a voice for the voiceless. We will not coddle ignorance, and we will not shut up.”
