Following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota while being placed under arrest, in a passionate post on Instagram, Gigi Hadid has revealed she is “Enraged. Sickened. Heartbroken. But never surprised.”
Sharing a poignant quote from Will Smith that “Racism isn’t getting worse, it’s getting filmed”, the model has added her voice to the condemnation of the horrifying police brutality that has lead to the arresting officer being charged with murder and third-degree manslaughter.
“This happens way too often – and the videos that go viral are not isolated events. It seems that only when caught on camera are bigots and murderers even getting ‘investigated’ or fired,” Gigi observed. “Unfortunately, the only way things will start changing is if all these racist, ignorant, monsters (badge and/or not) have to face the consequences – behind bars.”
The model and mother-to-be continued, “It’s not only an issue with black men being killed by cops. it’s an issue every time we see them being treated, in even non-violent situations, very clearly differently than many very-high-risk incidents involving white men. It’s an issue that the President is making dangerous public statements about enforcing the shooting of protesters – rightfully angered by another unneeded of another black person and demanding justice where it is 100 per cent needed.”
Gigi also referenced the recent incident in New York’s Central Park where Amy Cooper called the police claiming black birdwatcher Christian Cooper was threatening her life after he politely requested her to leash her dog. Amy Cooper has now been fired and her dog has been taken away.
“Even when we feel like what we do isn’t enough or can’t help, we have to do more”
Addressing her 5.4 million Instagram followers, Gigi acknowledged, “EVERY TIME feels more disheartening and nauseating because our cries for the Government and Americans to do better seem unheard; but even when we feel like what we do isn’t enough or can’t help, we have to do more.”
Calling American citizens to take action, she pleaded, “Keep signing petitions, making calls to demand justice, speaking out (this is not just if you have a big platform – it starts in your homes and communities), and fighting to make a difference for every life that has been wrongly taken or effected by The pandemic of racism. This is about being against every senseless act of discrimination that burdens this country.”
Photo: Rex Features amd Instagram @gigihadid
