Just over a week after the non-indictment of Ferguson police officer, Darren Wilson, who killed 18-year-old Mike Brown in August, a New York grand jury decided against criminal charges in the death of Eric Garner, a black man who died after being placed in a chokehold by a white police officer. Artists like Diddy, Nicki Minaj and Mary J. Blige have responded to the news via social media.
As noted by Rap-Up, Diddy was overcome by his emotion and called for action from other artists. He shared a video on Instagram and pleaded with other public figures in a lengthy caption.
"I can't take it anymore! It's Enough, and enough is enough!," he wrote. "Honestly my emotions are all over the place. We as artists, myself included, all have to step up and be better leaders in our communities. It's a hard burden to bear, but we have been chosen whether we like it or not. We need to do whatever we can in a POSITIVE way, to help unite people of all colors in this injustice! In order to be successful, it is very important that we have a well ORGANIZED, STRATEGIC plan. This is super important in order for us to make change!! REAL organization, REAL strategy and a TRUE commitment to not forget and move on like we usually do when the news stops reporting. This has to stop and we as a people are the only ones that can stop it. I truly do not have the right to preach, but I do have the right to speak."
A video posted by Sean Diddy Combs (@iamdiddy) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:14pm PST
Nicki Minaj sent their condolences to Garner's family, calling for justice. "This world just got so much scarier. RIP Eric Garner & God bless his family during this time of blatant & horrifying injustice," Minaj captioned a photo.
This world just got so much scarier. RIP Eric Garner & God bless his family during this time of… https://t.co/Y9woQnQIRB — NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) December 4, 2014
Mary J. Blige asked that everyone take a moment to pray.
A photo posted by Mary J Blige (@therealmaryjblige) on Dec 12, 2014 at 11:09am PST
Garner, a 43-year-old Staten Island man, yelled, "I can't breathe" numerous times while he was in a chokehold placed on him by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo. The incident was captured on camera after police officers reportedly approached Garner and attempted to arrest him for selling untaxed cigarettes.
