Across the nation, people have been gathering in the streets to send a message: Black Lives Matter. For years, people of color, including black people, have been treated as second-rate citizens in this world. That must change and, until it does, protests will not stop. There must be a complete overhaul in how this country works, ending systemic racism once and for all. That starts in the police force.

We spent all of Black Out Tuesday highlighting stories from the front-lines and, behind the scenes, there was also some madness popping off.

According to several sources, including TMZ, a message was played over the citywide police scanner for NYPD officers yesterday, instructing them to "shoot" and "run over" protestors blocking their path. As of right now, it is unclear if the message was sent from an actual police officer or chief or if the radio was stolen.

Justin Heiman/Getty Images

"Central, we have a group of people blocking traffic on Albany and Dean street," said one officer over the radio. The response from his alleged supervisor was shocking.

"Run them over," he said, nonchalantly. "Shoot those motherfuckers. Don't put that over the air."

It goes without saying that, if it was an officer or a chief that sent out this request, they should be fired and charged right away. The people that are employed to protect and serve can not be saying things like this and putting innocent lives in danger.

Listen to the audio below.

Though The Weeknd for the most part, he has been a vocal supporter of Black Lives Matter over the years. He’s donated money in the past and last night, he revealed he donated a total of $500K to a few organizations that are supporting the protesters. “Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives. 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 wrote on an Instagram post along with his own receipts of donations he’s made.

But today marks Blackout Tuesday, a day for the music industry to stand in solidarity with the Black community in the wake of the recent protests across the country. And though many members of the music industry did participate, Abel made a clear call on the labels and streaming services who’ve heavily profited off of Black culture.

“To my fellow respected industry partners and execs- no one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services. 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,” he wrote.

If you’re looking to donate, we’ve compiled a list of petitions and funds to donate to. 

Peep the post below.

The protests across America are a product of outrage of injustices that Black Americans have faced over the course of history. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have sparked a revolt of sorts with many demanding for change. Today, the music industry observed #BlackoutTuesday, though that quickly expanded past just music with everyone participating in the movement.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

During this time, Donald Trump has created further division among Americans, even calling for “heavily armed military” to be deployed in the midst of the riots. Needless to say, despite his obsession with celebrity, he did not post anything for Blackout Tuesday, though no one expected him to. It wasn’t shocking that no one else in his family posted a black square on their social media timeline with the exception fo his daughter, Tiffany. In a strange turn of events, she hit the ‘Gram calling for justice for George Floyd along with a quote from Hellen Keller.

“Alone we can achieve so little; together we can achieve so much.”- Helen Keller #blackoutTuesday #justiceforgeorgefloyd,” she captioned the post. 

Strangely enough, around the same time she shared the post, her father tweeted, “NYC, CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD. The lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart. Act fast! Don’t make the same horrible and deadly mistake you made with the Nursing Homes!!!”

Though you can appreciate her sentiment, we hope that she speaks some sense into her father while she’s at it. 

There are many ways to show solidarity to the Black community, and while the ongoing protests have provided various means for allies to contribute, the fallout remains equally important. The reality of the situation must be understood — even after the protests end, the problems will not simply disappear overnight. With a little hope, many lessons can still be learned, and many perspectives altered for the better.

While we have provided a list of resources for those who want to help show support during the protest, what about after? There has already been a growing focus on the importance of Black-owned businesses. Of providing more economic power to those communities, and rewarding the ambitions and initiatives of Black entrepreneurs. There is no shortage of ble options, and though many may be interested in discovering a new shop or restaurant, the process of finding Black-owned businesses can be overwhelming — especially if you don’t know where to look.

For those who seek to show support for Black-owned businesses, we’ve assembled a list of several notable starting points. Should you know of any such businesses worth highlighting, please share them in the comment section below.

Food & Beverage 

McBride Sisters

“Robin and Andréa created the McBride Sisters Wine Collection to unite their parallel lives and passions. Now the largest African-American-owned wine company in the United States, the collection of wines represents a genuine sense of place. Both the New Zealand and Central Coast of California wines are true expressions of each region’s terroir and the McBride sisters’ signature style; a blend of old-world elegance with new-world finesse.”

Partake Foods

“Making allergy-friendly, healthy snacks (from scratch) for my daughter was hard work, but I refused to give up or give in – and Partake Foods was born. Our products are deliciously made for just about everyone – from those with restrictions to those who simply want to eat more healthfully.”

BLK & Bold

“Our founders, Pernell & Rod, created BLK & Bold with a desire to make purpose popular. They welcome the obligation to equip young people with tools to live their best lives and overcome familiar unfortunate circumstances by turning a daily ritual, enjoying a cup of coffee & tea, into a means of giving back. BLK & Bold pledges 5% of its profits to initiatives aligned to sustaining youth programming, enhancing workforce development, and eradicating youth homelessness.”

Apparel

Shoe Mountain

“Rebuilding of Shoe Mountain after rioters in Tampa, Florida broke in and stole tons of merchandise including shoe, apparel, in-store cash flow and damages to the business location. Proceeds will be used to regenerate new inventory and to fix location damages. Incident occurred on May 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida.”

Nubian Hueman

“Nubian Hueman is a catalyst for culture, community, and the development of the creative economy by connecting the consumer to independent artists from across the world.  We bring popular culture, and fair-trade to a modern brand experience by serving as a means to promote collective interaction, community development, and global responsibility through a fresh and artistic platform.”

The Fuzzy Pineapple

“Handmade + customized art, apparel & accessories!”

Royal Jelly 

“Royal Jelly Harlem is an African-inspired clothing and home decorating line founded in February 2011 by mother-daughter duo Teta and Maya Gorgoni. After many trips to West and South Africa, they were inspired by the artistry of the printed fabrics. These fabrics inspired an exciting new line of fashion and home décor that would become Royal Jelly Harlem.”

BLK MKT Vintage

“BLK MKT Vintage is a collection comprised of black collectibles, cast-off’s and curiosities, representing the richness of black history and lived experience. Curated by founders Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart, the collection includes found items like vintage literature, vinyl records, clothing, art, housewares/decor, furniture and other goods. By centering black cultural artifacts  thoughtful curation and varying modes of accessibility, we’re communicating very explicitly to black folks that ‘not only do we see you, but we love you as well. You’re worthy. What you’ve created is worthy. You are important here.'”

Gregory Sil

“WE ARE GREGORY SYLVIA.  Founded by husband and wife team, Gregory and Terri Syl Pope, Gregory Syl is a luxury brand of fine handbags and leather goods for the discerning, design-focused consumer. Through innovative design, Gregory Syl’s product lines create a sense of timeless appeal. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Gregory Syl is one of the luxury leather goods market’s fastest growing brands.”

Telfar

“TELFAR is a unisex line Est in 2005 in NYC by Telfar Clemens and sold internationally. It’s not for you — it’s for everyone.”

Kahmune

“Here at Kahmune we believe that a good nude shoe should come in more than one hue. We’ve set out to ensure that all women have an option when it comes to finding that perfect match. Whether you’re one of our melanin supreme® ladies, or your skin is closer to porcelain, rest assured we’ve got you covered.”

The Wrap Life 

“The Wrap Life was inspired by West African expressions of head dress. We wear head wraps because they’re beautiful, fun and they allow colorful self-expression.”

Fine Print Label

Men’s streetwear brand established in 2018 in Albany, New York.

Lyf Supply 

“LYF SUPPLY is a New York based brand that uses apparel, culture and content to spread and reinforce the strong message and power of Self Love. “

It’s More Than Music

“It is more than a brand. Brooklyn with a splash of hip-hop.”

MNJSALES

“We’re a company based in Buffalo, NY. We’re dedicated to providing optimal service currently in headgear and clothing.”

Melanie Marie

“The Melanie Marie Collection is inspired by many aspects of life. The line was designed with the fashionable, contemporary yet classy woman in mind. A Melanie Marie piece will bring out the inner beauty and fashionista in a woman. MM has high fashion products that will unleash a woman’s full potential and make them feel like they are exclusive by having a one of a kind original piece of fashion. Melanie Marie strives to become a successful company while pleasing our loyal customers.”

Home Goods

Not Work Related

“Not Work Related is the ceramics company of Sarah Hussaini. Based in Brooklyn, it is a playful approach to household ceramics.”

Love Notes Fragrances

“Brooklyn’s own founder, Nya Kam has created her very own handpoured candles that will allow you to take this experience home.  Each candle was made with intergrity-containing an all natural soy wax, cotton-based (lead free)wicks, and unique custom blended fragrances that will contribute to your aroma therapeutic needs.”/

Love Cortniee

“I wanted a clutch that was unique, large in size and lined with something fun. Statement making to be exact. Well, my grandmother was more than happy to teach me. She even took me to a local fabric store where I picked out some fabrics, printed linings and matching zippers. It took me over 3 hours to make my very first clutch. It was definitely a learning process, but I enjoyed it.”

Expedition Subsahara

“We are Expedition Subsahara and we translate handmade goods into girls education. Our products are authentically made by African artisans (myself included), and no matter where you display or wear them, you’re creating a better, more connected world. Thank you for being a part of our tribe!”

Black Pepper Paperie

Black Pepper Paperie Co. is a Washington, DC-based mix-media art + design studio and lifestyle brand. BPPCo. focuses on creating globally-inspired, one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces that include wearable ceramic art, home decor, paper goods, and apparel. These ancestral modern pieces are rooted in memory and cultural influences from across the African diaspora.

Skin Care

The Lip Bar

The Lip Bar believes everyone is beautiful and deserves to be celebrated. So we create inclusive imagery and a dynamic assortment of products no matter your complexion, age, or skin type. Welcome to The Lip Bar, where you are enough!

Golde

“An independent, Brooklyn-born brand centered in making superfood-boosted essentials for health and beauty. Our products are always natural, easy, and (most importantly) fun.”

Home Cleaning Products

Pur Home

“PUR Home is a natural, non-toxic Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent and Household Cleaners product line. We select organic and raw ingredients that are plant-based, biodegradable and low toxic.”

It took Derek Chauvin 8 minutes and 46 seconds to end the life of George Floyd by forcefully pinning his knee against the man’s neck and back. In order to tribute the life of Floyd and all the countless others that have lost their lives to police violence and racism, children’s television network Nickelodeon went dark for the same amount of time last night.

Several networks, including BET, Comedy Central, VH1, and more, all stopped their regular programming for 8 minutes and 46 seconds on Monday evening. Nickelodeon issued a statement as to why they were participating.

Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

“Nickelodeon is going off the air for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in support of justice, equality, and human rights,” wrote the children’s television channel on social media. They went off-air and showed their “Declaration of Kids’ Rights” on the screen.

“You have the right to be seen, heard, and respected as a citizen of the world,” read the text. “You have the right to a world that is peaceful. You have the right to be treated with equality, regardless of the color of your skin. You have the right to be protected from harm, injustice, and hatred. You have the right to an education that prepares you to run the world. You have the right to your opinions and feelings, even if others don’t agree with them.”

The move has been celebrated and criticized by parents, with some suggesting that it was inappropriate for a children’s station to do. Others are applauding Nickelodeon for taking such a loud stance against racial inequality during this time of need.

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Protestors in Cincinnati, who were allegedly peaceful in their demeanor, decried the conditions in which they were held overnight on Monday.

Police reportedly arrested 307 people in Cincinnati from Sunday night into Monday morning, most of whom were breaking a 9 PM curfew that was in place. The protestors were detained at Hamilton County Justice Center for over 10 hours, where they were reportedly zip-tied, denied access to food and water, denied access to the bathroom, and also, held outdoors without a shelter above their heads in the sally port. The double-gated area only provides four walls, while supervised by deputies.

Images circulating show a slew of zip-tied individuals sleeping on the concrete ground. One man who was arrested, Andrew Watts, detailed the circumstance surrounding his arrest, per WCPO, “When we knew we were going to be arrested, we immediately laid on the ground, hands over our heads, yet we were violently arrested. I had a boot on my head.” Watts was zip-tied for 12 hours.

Nonetheless, the deputies have denied the protestors’ claims of unfair treatment. A spokesperson, David Daugherty, said in response:

“You got to remember we’re dealing – during the booking procedure – we’re dealing with the coronavirus response plan. All these people have to be screened, their temperature has to be taken, we have to ask the questions. ‘Have they been exposed?’ All of this takes time because everything has to be documented.”

However the protestors who were arrested have shot back, and some plan to pursue legal action.

Image detailing the conditions below, .

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Now, more than ever, it is important for us to elect somebody that will actually fight for the people. As we continue to witness social unrest with protests taking place across the nation, curfews have been imposed to keep people off the streets. On top of that, the coronavirus still poses a major concern. 

Some states had delayed their primary voting because of the pandemic and, today, nine states are open for voting.

District of Columbia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota are all voting for seats in Congress today. While it is always important to be educated on politics and what’s happening in the government, it’s arguably more important than ever before for us to make our voices heard through the vote. If you’re registered to vote in any of these nine states, please find out how and where to vote and make sure to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask.

This is an important day for Joe Biden, who will likely clinch the nomination on the Democratic side. Senator Bernie Sanders has suspended his campaign, but his name will still appear on the ballot.

With so much happening across the nation, it’s important to be politically informed and active. Get out and vote.

A video that has gone viral has resulted in an investigation, Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Dan Adams confirmed on Tuesday.

The video shows a man approaching a line of heavily-armed police officers, and while he doesn’t seem to pose any real threat, in the sense that he has no weapons visible, the police proceed to pepper spray him. As he turns around, blinded by the pepper spray, the police retaliate once again by throwing a tear gas canister directly at his face, in close range. 

The video ends immediately after the blast from the tear gas canister goes. It is graphic content but you can view it in the Instagram post below. The incident occurred on Saturday night, as protests were led in support of George Floyd. 

Thanks to the video footage of the incident though, the police are now conducting an internal investigation. 

Grand Rapids, Michigan has a curfew imposed tonight, from 7 PM to 5 AM tomorrow.

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Blackout Tuesday is in full effect in the music industry. A day created to support and amplify Black voices, raise awareness, and truly reflect on what we all need to do in order to support the Black community at large, especially since the music industry has been thriving off of Black culture since its inception.

With black squares filling up the timeline in solidarity with the Black community at a critical time in history, The Verge reports that the addition of #BLM and #BlackLivesMatter hashtags in these posts have drowned out information pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement including protests, donations, resources, and document police violence.

Blackout Tuesday, otherwise known as #TheShowMustBePaused, was launched by Jamila Thomas, senior director of marketing at Atlantic Records, and Brianna Agyemang, senior artist campaign manager at Platoon. 

“The music industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. An industry that has profited predominately from Black Art,” write the pair at TheShowMustBePaused.com. “Our mission is to hold the industry at large, including major corporations + their partners who benefit from the efforts, struggles and success of Black people accountable.”

Kehlani and Chuck Inglish were among those who highlighted the issue on social media with both Thomas and Agyemang addressing the overwhelming amount of black boxes on the Black Lives Matter hashtag.

A very disturbing video is being shared across social media, showing Philadelphia police officers arresting a man as he repeatedly claims that he is unable to breathe.

"I'm trying, I can't breathe!" yells the man being detained. It is unclear why he was being arrested as few details have been revealed.

The police officers responding to the situation fought back and said the following: "Shut up, asshole. Are you fucking stupid? That shit don't work here."

The cops are reportedly stationed to the Philadelphia Police 14th District in Germantown. This is just another instance of what is so deeply wrong with the police communities in this country. 

The video has been shared by several platforms on Twitter and Instagram, including by Meek Mill. The rapper shared the following message, empathizing with the man in the video: "I cant breathe don’t work in philly!"