In solidarity with Black Lives Matter (BLM), multiple Asian American celebrities took to the streets and the internet over the weekend to condemn the death of George Floyd, denounce police brutality and call for the long-overdue racial equality in the U.S.
Numerous Asian American personalities have voiced support in the movement since it returned to public consciousness after Floyd’s death, which is currently being tried as second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Last weekend, more celebrities used their platforms to express understanding of the historic plight of African Americans by joining public demonstrations and mobilizing support on social media.
Check them out:
Daniel Dae Kim
Actor Daniel Dae Kim was reportedly protesting with a Racism is Contagious sign in Hawaii.
Also saw @danieldaekim with a “RACISM IS A PANDEMIC” sign. That’s what’s up 👊
— Kelsey Tanouye (@_kelstagram) June 7, 2020
Thanks Kelsey. Like you, I was moved to join the hundreds of thousands around the world to peacefully share the message that #blacklivesmatter. We cannot end systemic #racism without every one of us doing our part. #UnitedWeStand #UnitedWeRise https://t.co/lHywRuRUVl
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) June 7, 2020
Lisa Ling
Journalist Lisa Ling took a video from one protest she attended saying she’s been moved to tears by the efforts of those fighting racism.
Harry Shum Jr., Roy Choi and Bobby Hundreds
Chinese American actor Shum, Korean American chef Choi and Korean American author Hundreds joined a BLM protest in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.
View this post on Instagram
Today’s @latimes. “Despite damage, L.A. Streetwear stores support Floyd protests.” Link in bio.
Vanessa Hudgens
Filipino American actor Vanessa Hudgens joined a BLM protest in LA on Sunday.
View this post on Instagram
LA. Today we marched, chanted and made history. United we stand. ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 vid: @yakooza
Joe Jitsukawa
Japanese American comedian and entrepreneur Joe Jitsukawa also joined the BLM protest in LA on Friday. In an Instagram post, he argued why Asians should support Black Lives despite the fact that some African Americans are responsible for hate crimes against the Asian American community during the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
“I’ve seen some resistance from some Asians. ‘Why should we help them when they attacked us for corona racism?’ Remember if you don’t like racism then that reasoning is what keeps racism alive. We all have bullies and criminals in each of our communities,” Jitsukawa wrote.
Adam Pu
American model Adam Pu, who is of Chinese and Cambodian descent, also joined the BLM protest in LA on Sunday.
Dumbfoundead
Korean American rapper Dumbfoundead did not only join the BLM protest in LA on Friday — he also brought his mom with him.
“Me and my mama pulled the f*ck up for our brothers, sisters and the change we want to see in this world,” he wrote on Instagram.
Jenna Ushkowitz
Korean American producer and actor Jenna Ushkowitz shared a powerful message in a BLM Instagram post on Sunday.
“It’s ok to make mistakes. It’s okay to say something wrong. As long as you’re talking, educating yourself and learning,” she captioned a graphic text about openness to new information.
Ki Hong Lee
Korean American actor Ki Hong Lee shared an Instagram post titled “Resources to Allyship” on Friday. The quick guide featured initiatives to donate to, books to read, entertainment to consume, petitions to sign and artwork to share for the advancement of Black Lives.
Mindy Kaling
Indian American actor and writer Mindy Kaling invited fellow South Asians to an online event that will tackle how the community must organize to amplify the movement of Black Lives. Scheduled at 6 p.m. ET on June 12, the event will feature Black writer and abolitionist Zoé Samudzi.
Feature Images via @bobbyhundreds (left) and @dumbfoundead (right)
