Beyonce's open letter on police shootings in full: 'We all have the power to channel our anger into action'

'We don't need sympathy. 'We need everyone to respect our lives.'

Beyonce (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

On Thursday, the front page of Beyonce’s website was transformed into a powerful call to action to communities across America, a day after two more black men lost their lives at the hands of police.

Alton Sterling died on Tuesday when he was shot dead by police in Louisiana. An autopsy found the 37-year-old father of five had died of multiple gunshot wounds. On Wednesday, Philando Castile was shot and fatally wounded in his car in Minnesota, his final moments recorded by his girlfriend and streamed on Facebook.

The "Formation" singer led a demand for a respect for human life, urging everyone of all race, gender and sexuality to unite in the fight “against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished”.

In her response, Beyonce said this is not a time for sympathy, it is a time for action. “Fear is not an excuse,” she warned. “Hate will not win.”

Read the full statement below:

We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities.

It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they “Stop killing us”.

We don't need sympathy.

We need everyone to respect our lives.

(Family Handout)

We're going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished.

These robberies of lives make us feel helpless and hopeless, but we have to believe that we are fighting for the rights of the next generation, for the next young men and women who believe in good.

This is a human fight. No matter your race, gender, or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalised, who is struggling for freedom and human rights.

This is not a plea to all police officers but toward any being who fails to value life. The war on people of colour and all minorities needs to be over.

Fear is not an excuse. Hate will not win.

<em>Philando Castile/Facebook</em>

We all have the power to channel our anger and frustration into action. We must use our voices to contact the politicians and legislators in our districts and demand social and judicial changes.

While we pray for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, we will also pray for an end to this plague of injustice in our communities.

Click in to contact the politicians and legislators in your area.

Your voice will be heard.