The 'Scream Queens' alum is videotaped having a passionate exchange with several guardsmen during a protest in Los Angeles that leads to both protesters and the Guard members kneeling together.
- Jun 3, 2020
AceShowbiz - Keke Palmer has joined a number of celebrities who took to the streets to speak on Black Lives Matter in the wake of George Floyd's death. On Tuesday, June 2, the actress was seen engaging in a meaningful conversation with National Guard soldiers while participating in a protest in Los Angeles.
In a video which has gone viral, the "Joyful Noise" star was seen passionately asking the armed officers to march with the protesters as an act of solidarity with anti-racism protesters. She spoke out against President Donald Trump's response to the protests, in which he tweeted, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts."
"You have a president talking about the Second Amendment as a use for people to come out here and use firearms against the people protesting. This is the message that we're seeing," she spoke to several soldiers. "You have to pay attention to what's going on. We have a president that's trying to incite a race war, and when the borders are closed."
"We can't leave. You have people in here that need your help. This is when you and y'all can stand together with the community, with society, to stop the governmental oppression. Period. We need you," she continued, to which one of the soldiers said, "I agree with you."
She then implored, "March with us. March beside us. Get your people. March beside us. Let the revolution be televised. March beside us and show us that you're here for us. Let's just do it. We start marching and you march with us."
But another soldier turned down her plea, reasoning that he couldn't leave his post and had to protect the section. He offered to march down the block through the next intersection, but not further. "Protect us. Do that march with us," Keke begged, but the guardsmen insisted that they needed to protect businesses as well.
Keke nearly gave up and said, "I'm at a loss." At that time, another woman among the protesters asked the soldier if he could take a knee and he immediately did it, followed by other members of the National Guard. Keke said, "It ain't enough for me," but the crowd cheered anyway and joined the soldiers to take a knee.
Also joining the protest in L.A. on Tuesday were Ben Affleck and his girlfriend Ana de Armas, who were photographed at Venice neighborhood. Wearing a gray T-shirt and hoodie, he held up a "Black Lives Matter" sign as he and Ana were seen crossing Abbot Kinney Boulevard with fellow demonstrators.
Logan Paul, Josie Canseco, Travis Barker and Richard Madden also protested on Tuesday.
