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Kesha accuses Donald Trump of ‘fuelling’ racism as Black Lives Matter protests sweep US

Singer condemned ‘racist police brutality’ amid protests against the death of George Floyd

Isobel Lewis
Monday 01 June 2020 09:08 BST
George Floyd: Brooklyn protests

Singer Kesha has criticised President Donald Trump for threatening to shoot campaigners protesting the death of George Floyd.

The “TiK ToK” singer took to Instagram on Sunday to show her support for the Black Lives Matter movement as she shared a picture of Floyd on Instagram.

Kesha wrote: “I never felt like it was my place to comment on the issue of racist police brutality, and that is part of the problem. What is happening in this country right now is horrific. The murder of black people, because they are black, by law enforcement, or anyone else is a tragedy every time.

“Racism has never been okay, yet it is part of the history of this country, a sickening part. Racism is very much alive and fuelled by a president who calls white supremacists ‘very fine people’ and then threatens protesters with being shot in a time when so many are suffering. It’s embarrassing, nauseating, and infuriating,” Kesha continued.

“Being a white person, I know I will never understand how racism feels. I stand for equality and I can’t just be silent while the president encourages violence and does nothing to help heal people’s suffering but rather makes it worse.”

She concluded: “What is happening right now is bigger than a hashtag. Black lives matter. George Floyd matters. Spread LOVE not hate.”

She went on to share a quote from Martin Luther King, reading: “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.”

Protests have continued across the United States following the death of Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis last week after a police officer knelt on his neck while detaining him.

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