Grammy Award winning artists Beyonce and Fantasia were both working hard, performing or getting ready to perform, when Florida man George Zimmerman was found 'not guilty' of second-degree murder or manslaughter in the shooting death of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin.
Moved by the verdict and the loss of an unarmed teen, both women stopped their planned shows Saturday, performing tributes and holding moments of silence.
"I'd like to have a moment of silence for Trayvon," Beyonce told fans at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Saturday.
With just a few lights illuminating the stage, Beyonce then sang the chorus of "I Will Always Love You" in honor of Martin, before transitioning into her hit single, "Halo."
In a completely different city and venue, Fantasia performed "A Change Is Gonna Come" for Trayvon Martin's family. She later took to Instagram, where she wrote a passionate letter and released a video.
"Just Got Off Stage From Singing Change Gone Come I sang iT to Travon Martins Family. In hopes that they would call it Like it is(RIGHT) I wondered why when I walked off stage I had such a Heavy Spirit and began to weep.. @derickus started checking his phone jumped up and said OMG!!! I Looked saying what is it? AND THERE IT WAS!! The reason why I was so Heavy… My God!!! Earlier I wondered why I look thru my page and seen my own Black Sister and Brothers calling each other Names or downing them for who they Are or how they dress.. WOW!!! DO YOU know how hard we fought to even have a Voice or be who we want to be, dress the way we want or at least GO where we wanted to Go. . STOP IT!!! IM CRYING OUT!!! Where there is unity there is strength. .. Pray!! If you are a Mother, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Father think of your kids or even if it was YOU!! Pray for the Martins. .. And Stop F**king picking with your OWN PEOPLE. .. #ANGRY #BOTHERED #SAD #MAD," Fantasia wrote.
The world is still reeling from the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case. The news that George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges has sparked international outrage and a massive outcry for justice. To show their support, both Beyonce and Fantasia stopped their concerts to honor Trayvon Martin. Through powerful words and music, these two extraordinary women showed just how strongly they feel about this tragedy.
Beyonce’s tribute was particularly poignant: she dedicated her song “I Will Always Love You” to Trayvon’s family before leading the crowd in singing “God Bless America.” She then asked for a moment of silence so everyone could reflect on what had happened. Meanwhile, Fantasia took a similar approach – instead of starting her set with an upbeat number, she began with a somber rendition of “As Long As I Live,” sending chills through the audience as she sang out against injustice.
It’s clear that both Beyonce and Fantasia felt strongly about honoring Trayvon Martin’s memory – but it wasn’t just them speaking up; millions around the world have joined together in solidarity to demand change and equality. By using their voices to call attention to this heartbreaking situation, these amazing singers are inspiring others to stand up for what is right.
Reactions To The Verdict
The acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman, sparked outrage and sadness throughout the country. In response to this tragedy many celebrities took action in honor of Martin’s memory by stopping their concerts or dedicating performances to him. Beyonce and Fantasia were two such examples who stopped their respective shows to pay tribute to his life.
Beyonce was performing at a concert in Nashville when she paused her show for a moment of silence in remembrance of Trayvon Martin. She spoke about how justice was not served for the young man and said that “we have to be better than that as a society.” Afterward she dedicated one of her songs to Martin saying “this is one of my favorite songs and I want you all to sing it with me so he can hear us from up above.”
Similarly, Fantasia also used her performance at an event called “A Night For Change” to express her grief over the verdict. During the song “I Believe,” she added lyrics like “Trayvon ain’t here no more.. we need peace now… Justice needs to be done.” Her emotional rendition received resounding applause from those in attendance. Both singers’ actions showed solidarity towards the cause and demonstrated that they will continue fighting for justice even after the verdict had been given.
Musicians’ Show Of Support
In the wake of the verdict, many other musicians also showed their support for Trayvon Martin and his family. Artists such as Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, and others shared their sorrow over the unjust outcome by posting messages on social media sites or dedicating performances to him at concerts across the country.
Jay-Z organized a tribute concert in New York City that featured several popular artists performing songs in honor of Martin’s life. During this event he said “Trayvon was not just an ordinary young man; he symbolizes so much more.’ He then went on to talk about how justice needs to be better served for people of all backgrounds if any real progress is going to be made.
In addition to these powerful statements, celebrities like Rihanna and Russell Simmons created petitions demanding Zimmerman’s arrest which received tens of thousands of signatures from supporters around the world. This show of solidarity among some of music’s biggest stars helped keep attention focused on Trayvon Martin even after his death and brought light towards racial injustice still present in today’s society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case has caused outrage and sadness across America. It’s clear that many people feel justice was not served for this young man who lost his life at such a young age. Celebrities like Beyonce and Fantasia were quick to show their support and solidarity with Trayvon by halting their concerts in honor of him. These acts of respect have resonated deeply with fans as they demonstrated compassion for those affected by this tragedy.
It is our hope that these powerful moments will help to start conversations about race and justice within society today. We must all come together in order to seek fairness, equality and peace among us all. Through collective action we can strive towards creating a better tomorrow where no one else has to suffer injustice due to hatred or prejudice.
Ultimately, it is up to each individual person to use their voice to stand up against racism and violence wherever it exists. By honoring Trayvon’s memory through acts of kindness, courage, love and understanding, we can ensure he didn’t die in vain. With enough determination, we can create meaningful change so that everybody feels safe in our world regardless of their identity or background.