The Weeknd donates $500K to racial justice, urges Big Three to join the cause
As Black Lives Matter protests continue across the world, The Weeknd is using his influence and reach to stand for change. The 30-year-old Canadian pop star has divided a donation of $500,000 across three different charities: $200,000 to the Black Lives Matter Global Network, $200,000 to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp, and another $100,000 to the National Bail Out fund. In addition, he’s urging everyone with big pockets “to give and give big.”
Shortly after his initial post, The Weeknd made a separate post calling on the “Big Three” major labels—Warner, Universal, and Sony Music Groups—along with streaming giants Apple Music and Spotify to donate.
“To my fellow respected industry partners and execs- no one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services,” he said in his post. “I gave yesterday and I urge you to go big and public with yours this week. It would mean the world to me and the community if you can join us on this.”
The surge in political donations to Black Lives Matter and affiliated racial justice groups comes after the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died when a police officer pressed his knee into his neck, holding him down for more than eight minutes. His death, along with countless other people of color, has led to almost two weeks of civilians protesting their local police forces.
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