After the unjust murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA, protests erupted all around the globe. All 50 states in America reported peaceful protests and across the sea, UK saw strong protests as well. Thousands of people expressed their opinions and chanted the “Black Lives Matter” slogan, including celebrities. In UK, Star Wars actor John Boyega stepped out, took the megaphone in his hand and delivered an impassioned and highly-emotional speech, which ended up going viral.

Boyega attended the Black Lives Matter rally in London on 3 June. “Black lives have always mattered,” Boyega said in his impromptu speech. “We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded regardless. And now is the time. I ain’t waiting.”

After seeing the overwhelming and positive response to his speech, Boyega decided to thank everyone who supported him and the Black Lives Matter movement. In an Instagram post, Boyega wrote: “This is an intense time for our community, and the most important thing is for us to maintain momentum and not lose sight of how critical it is to pursue long-term solutions and commitments, for the sake of our generation, and the next.”

 

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I want to thank you all for the love and support you have shared over the last few days, although nothing I have done is for praise, or is truly even enough, in the grand scheme of things. This is an intense time for our community, and the most important thing is for us to maintain momentum and not lose sight of how critical it is to pursue long term solutions and commitments, for the sake of our generation, and the next. Our individual pursuits of success and belonging remain, but now more than ever, it’s important to use this movement as fuel to inspire new ways of thinking, building, and growing, together. I believe any great movement starts with a renewal of the mind. I know you’re all thinking, what’s next? Where do we go from here? Because I’m thinking the same shit! Conversations about black businesses, ownership and support are happening, and I will continue to have these conversations with the full intention of birthing ideas that are sustainable and tangible. Let’s increase our knowledge! I’m excited to see an awakening happening in all of us! I’ll continue to use my platform to fight against the injustices and inequalities in our community, no matter what. Nonetheless, one man can’t do it alone – I need you, and we need each other! We need everyone, across industry’s, soci-economic backgrounds, countries, to unite with a shared goal of REAL change. Before the pandemic hit, I visited a few schools in Southwark, to share my journey and to truly understand the minds and needs of our next generation. It was eye opening and inspiring to say the least, and I look forward to continuing this work, and contributing more, once it is safe to do so. I urge the black men of our community, my peers, to do the same. Connecting with our kids and motivating them towards a future that is stronger and brighter, is urgent, and necessary. In the meantime, let’s work on clearing the runway for them, so they can take off, and fly. Love everyone, and stay safe x

A post shared by John Boyega (@johnboyega) on

 

He added: “I know you’re all thinking, what’s next? Where do we go from here? Because I’m thinking the same shit! Conversations about black businesses, ownership and support are happening, and I will continue to have these conversations with the full intention of birthing ideas that are sustainable and tangible.”

Boyega’s words were accompanied by a series of pictures from pre-lockdown visits to schools in the London borough of Southwark, where he interacted with students. He wrote: “Connecting with our kids and motivating them towards a future that is stronger and brighter, is urgent, and necessary. In the meantime, let’s work on clearing the runway for them, so they can take off, and fly.”

 

(Header Credit – John Boyega, Instagram)