Halsey was early to join the slew of stars speaking out after George Floyd’s death. She took it a step further on Saturday, placing herself on the frontlines of a California riot. The singer, whose real name is Ashley Frangipane, was also joined by British rocker/ex-boyfriend Yungblud.
She tweeted last night that Los Angeles Police officers “fired rubber bullets at us.”
“we did not breach the line. hands were up. unmoving. and they gassed and fired,” she continued, attaching four photos to document her experience.
fired rubber bullets at us. we did not breach the line. hands were up. unmoving. and they gassed and fired. pic.twitter.com/K8YauF0APn
Related to what you're reading:— h (@halsey) May 31, 2020
The “Bad At Love” songstress started an Instagram Live video amidst the protest.
“A true patriot is a person who is not afraid of rebelling against their Government for the greater good of their fellow citizens. We are patriots, you are cowards!” she shouted at the officers.
She ended the video once she got down on her knees, and thousands of followers were checking on her safety via Twitter.
“Halsey stay safe, everyone who is there please stay safe,” one wrote on the video’s re-share.
“WE ARE PATRIOTS! YOU ARE COWARDS!” halsey screaming at cops at the LA protest for black lives matter pic.twitter.com/UJQKYXKgis
— RUBY 🖤 (@17MINUTESX) May 31, 2020
Another replied, “Please stay safe, ashley.”
A third said it was “absolutely disgusting how these officers turn peaceful protests into harmful unsafe environments.”
Someone shared a screenshot of the free app “5-0 Radio” to help rioters “know where the police is and what they are doing.”
25-year-old Halsey was quick to social media after George Floyd was killed on Memorial Day.
“As many of you know George Floyd was a black man murdered by a police officer. He was unarmed and initially restrained for a nonviolent crime,” she said.
Use this app to help know where the police is and what they are doing stay safe and don’t get hurt 😞 ps the app is called 5-0 radio pic.twitter.com/19jokLwD6Q
— Lina’s Mood: online classes suck (@its__lina__) May 31, 2020
“Say his name. Share this information. If you have friends and family who are privileged enough to ‘stay away from this kind of news” then take that f—ing privilege away.”
“Uplift the voices of black members of your community voicing their fear or outrage or grief. ????Text “FLOYD” to 55156???? and sign the petition seeking justice. The officers in question have been terminated and given paid leave. This is not sufficient punishment for murder. They need to be prosecuted.”
“if you’re staying silent you’re contributing to the problem. I am updated on my Twitter if you are looking for more resources and information. The link for donations to black lives matter is in my bio. #blacklivesmatter”
Praise continues to pour in under Halsey’s post.
“Thank you for always using your platform to speak up. the systematic targeting of black people has to end. this is absolutely heartbreaking.,” someone said.
“This happened in my city,” a second said. “Minneapolis is literally on fire right now in protest of this injustice. Stores and businesses are robbed, smashed to pieces.”
“Thank you for using your platform for good,” another wrote, which was echoed by thousands of others.
Halsey shared on May 25th that she was studying constitutional law ahead of taking the bar exam.