Pharrell, Rihanna, Katy Perry, More React to Ferguson Decision
The grand jury’s decision in St. Louis, in which it was decided that officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, has caused rioting and protesting on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri. It's also caused a wide array of responses from celebrities on social media.
The majority of reactions called for peace in the streets of Ferguson, and nationwide, as tensions are at an all-time high.
Pharrell Williams noted his despondency over the grand jury's decision, but pleaded for clearer heads to prevail.
I'm heartbroken over the news of no indictment in Ferguson. Let's all pray for peace.
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) November 25, 2014Macklemore, meanwhile, criticized the possible racial underpinnings of the grand jury's decision on Twitter:
The system that instills & protects white supremacy wins again. Humanity loses...No justice. I pray for Mike Brown & his family. So sad.
— Macklemore (@macklemore) November 25, 2014For her part, Rihanna took to Instagram to express -- through a single, provocative photo -- her belief that this isn't likely to be the last time a tragedy like this occurs:
LeBron James also hit up Instagram, posting a poignant photo, along with a caption reading, in part, "As a society how do we do better and stop things like this happening time after time!!":
Officer Wilson,
You are a murderer.
Shame on you.
Parents are NOT
supposed to
bury their children.
You think about that...
c
#Losing
— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) November 25, 2014Others expressed their shock and disbelief that this could even happen:
Heavy heart, angry soul... we matter. ALL our lives matter. Hear us, feel us, respect us... ALL
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) November 25, 2014"With liberty and justice for all."
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) November 25, 2014Can't even begin to understand how this can happen.
— Trey Songz (@TreySongz) November 25, 2014Surreal
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) November 25, 2014No need for the gas, we already had tears
— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) November 25, 2014Still others criticized not only the grand jury decision, but also Officer Wilson himself, the D.A.'s handling of the case, and the media's biased coverage of the event:
the D.A never represented the people properly. He never wanted an indictment. violent ones in the streets are likely those who didn't vote
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) November 25, 2014We can get THE DA out ...but we must VOTE
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) November 25, 2014Anger/violence will not change the condition that created this tragedy. Destroying community property… http://t.co/caDyluYyBh
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) November 25, 2014Officer Wilson,
You are a murderer.
Shame on you.
Parents are NOT
supposed to
bury their children.
You think about that...
c
#Losing
— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) November 25, 2014#Peace. #Change. #America. #FergusonDecision.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) November 25, 2014Problem w/ burning the American flag is it presumes America to be only about poor police work & not about the power to change. #IAmAmerica
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) November 25, 2014Cynical journalism disguised as genuine concern is one of the greatest corrupting forces in America right now. #FergusonDecision
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) November 25, 2014We must work together to stop the unnecessary loss of young men of color. Justice was not served in Ferguson.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 25, 2014Mr President please go to #Ferguson
— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 25, 2014Seasons Greetings #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/k4acxK2g7Y
— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 25, 2014I know that the protesters in #Ferguson r upset like we all are! But please don't give them a reason to hurt anyone else! Keep The Peace!!
— Vivica A. Fox (@MsVivicaFox) November 25, 2014Feeling stuck all the way over here in Sydney seeing the news just now... Sending my prayers to Ferguson & praying for an equal America.
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) November 25, 2014All my love is with the family of Michael Brown. I applaud their strength and courage, mourn their loss, pray they see justice and change.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) November 25, 2014" A system cannot fail those it was never meant to protect "
W.E.B. DuBois. http://t.co/1OCKbrJaTb
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) November 25, 2014"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) November 25, 2014The fiery, riotous aftermath of the decision in the streets of Ferguson was the top story on all the morning shows today, although tensions have seemed to calm down considerably. Some of the major news outlets, such as CNN, are stressing that the majority of protests ongoing at the moment are peaceful. Hopefully, peace prevails in this volatile situation. Regardless, our thoughts are with the people of Ferguson at this time.
Credit: Trae Patton/NBC