Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez join BLM protests after 12-year-old son Max asks them to use their platform
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have become the latest celebrities to join the Black Lives Matter protests following the May 25 death of George Floyd. The 46-year-old African-American man died in police custody after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes despite the victim telling him, “I can’t breathe”.
Lopez and her 44-year-old partner marched for change in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, June 7, along with several protesters. They marched with homemade posters made by Jennifer’s children, Emme and Max, both 12, that read: “Black Lives Matter,” “BLM…#EnoughIsEnough,” and “Let’s Get Loud for Black Lives Matter.” The 50-year-old actress later took to Instagram to share a video of her day spent protesting with Rodriguez. She also revealed in the caption that it was her son, Max, who asked her to use her popularity for good and speak against wrong.
“Today I had Emme and Max make me and Alex a sign for the protest. Max told me a few days ago: “You know mom, since you have a following like some of my YouTuber gamers and they ask us to support things and we do, you should do that for George Floyd.” I said, “Funny you say that baby, I am planning a few things. Do you want to help by making a sign?” And they did!! 🖤🖤🖤 We talked about how if one person doesn’t have justice then no one does. That this country was built on the belief of freedom and justice for all. We must take a stand for what we believe in and fight against the injustices in this world. So we continue to peacefully protest until there is change,” Lopez wrote in the Instagram caption.
Rodriguez also took to Instagram to post pictures and videos of the protests. In some of the pictures and videos, the couple is seen holding hands as they walked in solidarity with the protesters. “All across our nation, for nearly two weeks, the message has been sent loud and clear. Americans everywhere protesting for peace. For equality. For humanity. To show #BlackLivesMatter. To show we are sickened, both by the senseless way George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis and by the many brutal, unnecessary, ugly murders that came before him,” the baseball legend wrote in the caption.
He added: “Los Angeles, we are proud to join you in peaceful protest tonight. We are proud to walk alongside you and to share in spreading such an important message. Thank you for speaking up. Thank you for continuing to fight the good fight. Thank for you using your voices for good. America: It’s time to listen.”
The death of Floyd, who was unarmed at the time of his death, has triggered nationwide protests in the US with many celebrities coming out in the open supporting the cause. Recently, Ayesha Curry also joined the demonstrators in the Oakland Black Lives Matter protests. She shared her experience on Instagram and also and encouraged her fans to “show up however you can and keep showing up”.
Sharing pictures and a video of the peaceful protests happening in the city, Curry wrote: “Today was filled with many emotions. On one hand, I was overwhelmed with happiness to see my community show up, yet again to fight for what is right. I witnessed people from all different backgrounds peacefully protesting. People out for a jog or walk noticing the crowd and putting their own needs on pause to join the cause and march with us.”
Encouraging her fans, the 31-year-old Canadian-American actress added, “Keep lining the streets, keep filling the feeds, keep informing your friends. We have the power to shift and change things. I promise you at this moment, right now... this is the victory and the celebration you want to be telling your children and your children’s children about.”