The Weeknd has pledged $500,000 in donations to support causes like Black Lives Matter.
The R&B musician, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, announced his massive contribution to the movement in along with a passionate Instagram post shared Monday (June 1).
“Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives,” the artist wrote. “Urging everyone with big pockets to give and give big and if you have less please give what you can even if it’s a small amount.”
The “Blinding Lights” star also shared his receipts, showing he donated $200,000 to Black Lives Matter Global Network, $200,000 to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights movement, and $100,000 to National Bail Out.
The Weeknd is the latest in a long line of celebrities to donate to the cause amid the civil unrest and protests sparked by the fatal arrest of George Floyd, the Black man who begged for his life as former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on his neck for several minutes before Floyd passed away.
Paramore pitched in $25,000 to several supporting organizations, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have pledged $200,000 to the NAACP, and those like Harry Styles, Steve Carell, Janelle Monae, Kehlani and others have donated money to post protesters’ bail.
According to CNN, it was concluded by a medical examiner that Floyd’s death was a homicide. The independent autopsy also stated Floyd died of “asphyxiation from sustained pressure” when his neck and back were compressed during the arrest, determining that the pressure cut off blood flow to his brain.
Since Floyd’s tragic killing, Chauvin has been fired and arrested on charges of third-degree murder and manslaughter.
