R&B singer Ashanti got out and made her voice heard during a recent #BlackLivesMatter protest against racism and police brutality.
The 39-year-old “Baby” singer was in her home state of New York. She shared a video of her first protest experience, noting the “different” energy she felt around her and admitting her own surprise at living out a scene that was only familiar to her through stories.
“The energy is just different,” she shared in her post caption. “I’ve never protested before nor did I think I would ever have to…. we’ve seen the movies we’ve read the books.”
In the video, Ashanti, producer Deighton Mckoy, and fellow protesters can be seen marching together peacefully while chanting “Hands Up! Don’t Shoot!,” “No Justice! No Peace!,” and “George Floyd.”
The “Happy” singer also shared a bit of her own family history in her caption, drawing a parallel between herself and her grandfather — both marching for Black rights over 50 years apart. “I come from a family devoted to making change,” she continued. “My grandfather James Davis walked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in Montgomery Alabama in 1965, and here we are in 2020 fighting the same fight all over the world. The energy is shifting tho. It feels different this time. Enough is Enough. ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽”
Fans applauded Ashanti for hitting the streets with the massive crowds to take a stand and looking cute in her Aretha Franklin tee, Louis Vuitton face mask, and Chanel fanny pack while doing it.
“Imagine protesting and you see Ashanti next you lol This is dope,” wrote a fan.
“True words my sister💯💯✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿,” agreed another.
“I see you out there queen!!!! Much respect!!!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥,” an enthusiastic fan wrote. “That’s why we f–“ks with you till death!!!!!💪🏾 .. btw the Lv mask is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”
“That mask made you lowkey girl if I knew this was you I would of gave you the biggest hug 😂”
“Keep going girl✊🏾,” a sixth encouraged.
“Stand for whats right . Good for you @ashanti 🖤❤👏”
Ashanti joins a growing list of Black celebrities who have attended protests to speak out against racial injustice and police brutality. They include Porsha Williams, John Boyega, Kanye West, Yandy Smith, and Ray J, among others.
