Alton Sterling and Philando Castile killing: Beyonce urges fans to take action in powerful letter

Beyonce has urged her fans to take political action in the wake of the shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
On Tuesday, father-of-five Sterling, 37, was shot several times while he was pinned to the ground by two police officers outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The following day Philando Castile, 32, was shot as he reached for his wallet during a traffic stop in Minnesota.
Both incidents were captured in shocking footage which has been widely shared on social media.
Today, Beyonce joined a host of stars who have spoken of their shock and sadness in powerful responses to the deaths.
In a post titled ‘Freedom’, Beyonce issued an urgent call to action.

 

"We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities,” she wrote. “It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they ‘stop killing us.’ We don't need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives."
Alongside the statement, Beyonce linked to ContactingtheCongress.org , the Louisiana State Legislature website and also the Minnesota State Legislature website.

Beyonce’s statement in full:

"We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities. It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they 'stop killing us.'
"We don't need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives. We're going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished.
"These robberies of lives make us feel helpless and hopeless but we have to believe that we are fighting for the rights of the next generation, for the next young men and women who believe in good.
"This is a human fight. No matter your race, gender or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalized, who is struggling for freedom and human rights.
"This is not a plea to all police officers but toward any human being who fails to value life. The war on people of color and minorities needs to be over.
"Fear is not an excuse. Hate will not win.
"We all have the power to channel our anger and frustration into action. We must use our voices to contact the politicians and legislators in our districts and demand social and judicial changes.
"While we pray for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, we will also pray for an end to this plague of injustice in our communities.
"Click in to contact the politicians and legislators in your area. Your voice will be heard.
"We all have the power to channel our anger and frustration into action. We must use our voices to contact the politicians and legislators in our districts and demand social and judicial changes."