Justin Timberlake: ‘Black People in America Are Not Safe’

“Black people in America are not safe,” declared pop star Justin Timberlake in an Instagram rant on Sunday dedicated to Rayshard Brooks, the 27-year-old man killed by police on Saturday in Atlanta, Ga.

“As a dad, this photo hurts. #RayshardBrooks was a father of three girls…1, 2, and 8 years old. He should not be dead,” Timberlake’s lengthy message began. “Neither should #RiahMilton, #DominiqueFells, and #RobertFuller. This week, these four innocent people became victims of racism, violence, and intolerance. And we’re still waiting for Justice for #BreonnaTaylor. I’m heartbroken for their families and for this country.”
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“The system needs to change… it has repeatedly shown us that Black people in America are not safe. I’ll follow up with more resources and ways to help. Continue to SAY THEIR NAMES. #BlackLivesMatter,” the Grammy-winner’s message said.

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As a dad, this photo hurts. #RayshardBrooks was a father of three girls…1, 2, and 8 years old. He should not be dead. ⠀ ⠀ Neither should #RiahMilton, #DominiqueFells, and #RobertFuller. This week, these four innocent people became victims of racism, violence, and intolerance. And we’re still waiting for Justice for #BreonnaTaylor. I’m heartbroken for their families and for this country.⠀ ⠀ The system needs to change… it has repeatedly shown us that Black people in America are not safe. I’ll follow up with more resources and ways to help. Continue to SAY THEIR NAMES. #BlackLivesMatter

A post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake) on Jun 14, 2020 at 6:46pm PDT

Brooks’ death has been ruled a homicide. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned after the shooting. The officer who killed Brook’s was fired.

Justin Timberlake previously aligned himself with protesters arrested by police in Minneapolis, MN, following the death of George Floyd. He urged people to donate to the Minneapolis Freedom Fund, a left-wing organization describing itself as supporting “transformative and restorative justice” which finances bail for ideological fellow travelers arrested during recent demonstrations, protests, and riots.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) subsequently slammed Timberlake’s call for funding bail of rioters. “Justin, how about giving your millions to a fund to help the African-American and Hispanic small businesses that are being burned & looted, rather than a fund to bail out the spoiled (often white) ANTIFA terrorists who are destroying minority communities?” Cruz said.

The “Cry Me a River” singer also recently expressed support for various left-wing and Democrat-aligned race-focused organizations, including Color of Change and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

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Yesterday I was happy to hear the other three officers were charged in the death of #GeorgeFloyd but today we continue to mourn with the family. I send my sincere condolences and prayers to them. We also know no one has yet to be charged in the death of #BreonnaTaylor so there is more work to do to bring her justice. There are crucial organizations on the ground who are doing the work to get her justice and do the work to end systematic racism. Please follow, donate and support their hard work. @colorofchange, @naacp, @mvmnt4blklives, @blackfutureslab, @byp100….

A post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake) on Jun 4, 2020 at 3:24pm PDT

Follow Robert Kraychik on Twitter.