The Weeknd and Drake are the latest artists to show their solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement, by helping black families reunite through the National Bail Out Fund.
The Canadian artists’ donations come after being challenged by singer/songwriter Mustafa The Poet to support those incapable of making bail after being arrested. The Weeknd took to Instagram to show his solidarity and share receipts of the donation he made on June 1.
“Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there, risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives,” the Canadian singer wrote. “[I’m] 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,” he continued, adding the hashtag #blacklivesmatter.
The Weeknd has donated a total of $500k to various charities to aid the Black Lives Matter movement, including $100,000 to National Bail Out, $200k to the Black Lives Matter Global Network and an additional $200K to Colin Kaepernick‘s Know Your Rights Foundation.
Drake also donated $100K to the National Bail Out. “Side by Side,” Drake wrote, sharing a black image on Instagram, in support of #BlackoutTuesday by way of the #TheShowMustBePaused initiative, in response to the death of George Floyd.
Their aim is to ‘eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes’.
Other stars such as Beyonce, Jay Z, Lizzo and Rihanna have spoken out about racism and called for justice for George Floyd and many other innocent people in the black community who have sadly lost their lives.
