Beyonce announces emergency aid to support Nigerian protesters, more news
Beyonce calls for an end to police brutality in Nigeria as her foundation partners with emergency coalitions there
Politicians and celebrities around the world have been speaking out to show their support for the largely young protesters who continue demonstrating against police brutality in Nigeria. Beyonce joined the chorus of voices on social media in the early hours of Wednesday morning, around the same time security forces were reportedly opening fire on a group of demonstrators, according to a new Amnesty International report (via the New York Times). “I am heartbroken to see the senseless brutality taking place in Nigeria,” the singer wrote on social media and the platforms for her BeyGOOD Foundation. “There has to be an end to SARS,” she continued, referencing the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad that has a “reputation for abusing, torturing and even killing young people,” according to the Times. “We have been working on partnerships with youth organizations to support those protesting for change,” Beyonce said in the statement. “We are collaborating with coalitions to provide emergency healthcare, food, and shelter. To our Nigerian sisters and brothers, we stand with you.” She then linked to a new section on Beyonce.com where fans can find a list of organizations through which they can help, including Nigeria’s Feminist Coalition and Connected Development (CODE). Protesters in Nigeria have called for the country to “#EndSARS” for weeks — a call the government appeared to be heeding when it said recently it would ban the organization. The new report from Amnesty, however, suggests security forces in the streets of the country remain brutal, as SARS officers may simply have been redeployed to other groups. Beyonce‘s post garnered a mix of responses, with some complaining that the singer hasn’t done enough to support Nigerian and other African protest movements. Others, though, came to her defense. “THIS is why it took so long for her to post, because her team were working on providing ACTUAL resources for people in Nigeria!” wrote one supporter.
