Despite everything, some protestors have still managed to maintain their sense of humour. At a demonstration in Los Angeles on Tuesday (June 2nd), just one of the many nationwide efforts to fight against police brutality and systemic racism, comedian Everett Byram took the opportunity to parody Kendall Jenner's famously mocked and later revoked 2017 Super Bowl Pepsi commercial.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for DKNY

As you are likely well aware, in the now-infamous ad, the model opts to ditch a photo shoot in order to join a march taking place on the street. It's not clear what the protest is for, but regardless, Kendall takes part, and ultimately hands a police officer a can of Pepsi as a peace offering. The commercial was widely criticized for its tone-deaf portrayal of protestors' relationship with police as well as its oversimplification of activism.

However, Everett, like many in the years since the ad aired, found the humour in the absurdity of this ridiculous gesture, and decided to try it out for real. In a clip from the L.A. protest, Everett can be seen handing an LAPD officer a can of Pepsi.

“Hey, you guys, like a Kardashian over here," he says. "Hey, look, it’s a Pepsi, you want a Pepsi? Have it! Have a Pepsi, dude!” After the officer declines his offer, Everett exclaims, “But it helped in the commercial!" The cop responds, “I don’t drink soda."

In another instance, a protestor attempted to use Kendall's strategy by approaching a line-up of police officers in full riot gear, his arm outstretched holding a bottle of Pepsi. "I can’t believe someone actually did it," a Twitter user wrote in the caption.

Today would have been Breonna Taylor’s 27th birthday. The Kentucky woman was an emergency medical technician for the University of Louisville Health. She was killed on March 13th, 2020, after three officers entered her home with a “no-knock” warning to execute a search warrant. After her boyfriend fired a shot believing the officers to be intruders, striking one officer in the thigh, they in turn allegedly fired 20 shots, eight of which hit Breonna while she was sleeping. These three Louisville cops involved in her death — Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove — were put on administrative leave, but not one of them has been arrested.

ANGELA WEISS/AFP Getty Images

While this case is upsetting enough on its own, it is particularly unnerving when we consider that all three of the officers that shot and killed Breonna have yet to face any charges. While arrests have been made in the two other high profile cases in recent months — former officer Derek Chauvin and the three other former Minneapolis officers involved in the death of George Floyd have been charged, as have Gregory McMichael, his son Travis McMichael and William “Roddie” Bryan, Jr., who were involved in the death of Ahmaud Arbery — more and more time goes by without any justice for Breonna.

Here’s how you can demand justice for Breonna Taylor:

Sign The Petition

A Change.org petition started by law student Loralei HoJay demands that the three officers be arrested and charged immediately. The petition has reached nearly 4 million signatures. Sign here.

Send A Birthday Card

In honour of what would’ve been Breonna’s 27th birthday, #BirthdayForBreonna was launched by freelance writer Cate Young. The campaign encourages people to send a birthday card to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, demanding that charges be filed against the three officers, and Louisville Metro Mayor Greg Fischer, demanding that he “fall in line and support charges for the killers.” Go to Action Item #4 on #BirthdayForBreonna for instructions.

Send An Email

The #BirthdayForBreonna campaign also encourages people to email Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Mayor Greg Fischer to demand that the officers be charged. There is already a fully scripted email prepared, with spaces to fill in your name and location. Go to Action Item #3 on #BirthdayForBreonna to find the email template.

Call

Call Mayor Greg Fischer at (502) 574-2003 and demand that these three officers be charged. 

Text

-Text “ENOUGH” To 55156 to demand justice for Breonna.

Donate To Her Family

While this is not a direct way to demand justice, a GoFundMe was set up by Breonna’s aunt, Bianca Austin, to financially support Breonna’s family. Donate here.

More Ways To Help

Campaign Zero: “Over 1,000 people are killed by police every year in America. We are calling on local, state, and federal lawmakers to take immediate action to adopt driven policy solutions to end this violence and hold police accountable.”

National Police Accountability Project: “The central mission of NPAP is to promote the accountability of law enforcement officers and their employers for violations of the Constitution and the laws of the United States.”

Bail Funds (Across The U.S.): “A collection of community resources for protestors around the country.”

Louisville Bail Fund: “The Louisville Community Bail Fund exists to not only bail out folks, but provide post-release support to get them from jail, fed, and to a situation of safety.”

DEFUND THE POLICE (Black Lives Matter):“Enough is enough. We call for radical, sustainable solutions that affirms the prosperity of Black lives throughout America. Sign the petition right now and call on our cities and states to #DefundThePolice.”

Candace Owens recently voiced her controversial opinion about George Floyd, claiming that we should not be honoring him because he was "not an amazing person." She has continued her divisive remarks by drawing a line between Black Lives Matter and election periods.

Using her platform on Twitter, the conservative political commentator argued that "white liberals" only care about Black Lives Matter when an election is approaching.

Though footage of police violence has increased to disturbing heights throughout the ongoing protests against anti-black racism and police brutality, the pressure to hold cops accountable for their actions has never been higher. Yet many police appear so confident in their ability to get away with physical assault that they don't even seem to fear the consequences.

Earlier this morning, footage surfaced of a Buffalo police officer violently shoving a 75-year-old protestor (apparently a "longtime activist) to the concrete. The clip was made all the more disturbing by the complete apathy that many of the surrounding police officers seemed to exhibit, with some actively attempting to block their fellow cops from helping the victim. Even as the blood began to pool, the man went unassisted. You can see the attack below, though a warning: the footage is disturbing.

George Floyd’s daughter declared as she sat atop Stephen Jackson’s shoulders at a recent protest: “Daddy changed the world!” She was right.

As protests continue on and force world leaders to consider re-structuring the way systems have been destroying certain communities, a donation-based effort for the family of George Floyd has broken records as the campaign that has officially earned the most-ever donations in GoFundMe history.

Launched just over a week ago, the Official George Floyd Memorial Fund has earned the most donations on a single GoFundMe campaign ever, so says a spokesperson for the website.

Over 500,000 people have contributed to the fund with monetary donations, also leaving kind messages in the comments. People from over 125 countries have joined the cause and, in total, $13 million has been raised so far.

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

According to Floyd’s sister Philonise, the money raised will be used to cover funeral and burial expenses, counseling, lodging and travel for court proceedings, and his family as they seek justice for his murder. Some of the money will also be put aside for George’s kids to provide for their education.

Not so shockingly, the second place on GoFundMe’s list of the most-donated-to campaigns is one to have a wall built at America’s southern border. That has raised over $25 million with over 300,000 donations.

Keep making your voice heard. Find ways to contribute here.

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Not only has 2020 shaped up to be one of the most eventful years of the last decade, it’s also an election year. In just a few months, America will be casting their votes for their next president, and while many celebrities have advocated for all qualified citizens to vote, Snoop Dogg revealed on The Real 92.3 while speaking with Big Boy’s Neighborhood that he’s never voted before.

Frazer Harrison / Staff / Getty Images

“I ain’t never voted a day in my life, but this year I think Imma get out and vote ’cause I can’t stand to see this punk in office,” Snoop Dogg said. “For many years, they had me brainwashed thinking that you couldn’t vote because you had a criminal record. I didn’t know that. My record’s been expunged. So now I can vote.” Snoop added that 2020 will “definitely” be the year that he casts his vote.

“We gotta make a difference,” the rapper continued. “You can’t talk about it and not be about it. I can’t tell you to do and then don’t go do it. Everybody know I’m a frontliner. I ain’t gon’ tell you to do something that I didn’t do. If I tell you to do something, I don’t did it already.” Watch Snoop Dogg and Big Boy chop it up below.

George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis last week and in the aftermath of his death, there have been protests all across the United States. These protests have mostly been peaceful although on occasion there have been some riots and even the occasional looted store. Regardless of the methods of protest, it is clear that the people want justice and they want to see a concrete end to police brutality all across the nation.

Today, there was a memorial service for Floyd in Minneapolis and Mayor Jacob Frey was there to pay his respects. In an emotional moment, Frey approached Floyd’s casket and knelt to say a prayer. While doing so, Frey stopped and began to sob as he was overcome with emotion during the moment.

There was a large gathering of people for the service including celebrities like T.I., Kevin Hart, and even Ludacris. Floyd’s death has touched a lot of people and it is a stark reminder of the inequality in this country. Not to mention, Floyd was seen as a leader in his community and many wanted to pay their respects to a man who was unjustly taken way too soon.

Hopefully, the protests all across the country lead to some real change.

[Via]

Candace Owens has been voicing her controversial opinion regarding George Floyd, attacking his character and claiming that he was "not an amazing person." She is continuing her disrespectful remarks by doubling down on them, heading to Twitter and telling her network that they should not be celebrating his life.

American conservative commentator and Trump supporter Candace Owens struck a nerve with her recent comments. She commented during George Floyd's memorial service in Minneapolis to speak her mind even further, causing even more of a divide.

Three former police officers involved in the death of George Floyd have had their bails set at $1 million. 

J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao were all taken into police custody following the public outrage revolving around George Floyd’s death. They were charged with abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. A judge set bail for Kueng, Lane, and Thao at $1 million, or $750,000 under certain provisions.

Those conditions include not being able to contact anybody in Floyd’s family and not working in law enforcement.

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Getty Images — Tou Thao poses for a mugshot

The three officers were charged this week after Derek Chauvin, the cop that pinned his knee against Floyd’s neck and back for nearly nine minutes, was arrested and charged with third-degree murder last week. After investigating the case, Chauvin’s charges were upgraded to second-degree murder.

A memorial was held today for George Floyd in Minneapolis, which was attended by Kevin Hart, T.I, Ludacris, Tyler Perry, Tiffany Haddish, and more. 

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Getty Images — Thomas Lane poses for a mugshot

It was reported in an autopsy that Floyd had tested positive for COVID-19. However, that was not determined to be what killed him. According to the two autopsies conducted, he was killed by homicide.

We will continue to keep you updated on the cases being built against Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao.

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It's become an indisputable fact of life that when Ice Cube speaks, it's wise to listen. We've already seen Cube emerge as a voice of authority amidst times of crisis, with his entire early solo career rife with politically-charged messages and pro-Black themes. It's no surprise that the legendary emcee has much to say considering the ongoing protests in favor of racial equality.

Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

But like any great rapper, Cube has no shortage of followers and fans that, rather surprisingly, seem to hold prejudices toward black people. It's become disturbingly commonplace to hear arguments like "All Lives Matter" and "But What About Black On Black Crime?" used by those seeking to disrupt an important discourse. Cube took it upon himself to dismantle said arguments, offering his take on why they stand as irrelevant.

"People always say Blacks kill Blacks more then the police," he writes, on his Twitter page. "BLACK ON BLACK CRIME = Jail Time, BLUE ON BLACK CRIME = No Jail Time (and government pays for it), THIS IS WHY PEOPLE ARE IN THE STREETS." Naturally, many of his followers took it upon themselves to argue his stance, with several attempting to pivot the discussion to "white-on-white crime."  Given that the discussion being had is not about that particular demographic, it's difficult to understand why it continues to be used so frequently. Perhaps Ice Cube has no choice but to start breaking out the scowl, a gaze only to be used in emergencies only.