#BoycottCelebs: Justin Timberlake slammed for ‘funding rioters’ after donation to bail out Minneapolis protesters
George Floyd's disturbing death has stirred the United States after a viral video showed how Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, had his knee on Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, and Floyd was unresponsive within 2 minutes and 53 seconds, according to the criminal complaint filed against Chauvin.
The tragic incident took place on May 25 when Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on the street. Since then, a huge number of celebrities have spoken about the rampant racism and came out in support of black people. Justin Timberlake also showed solidarity with a tweet saying, "Please join me in supporting the Minneapolis protestors by donating to the @mnfreedomfund. The freedom fund is combatting the harms of incarceration by paying bail for low-income individuals who cannot otherwise afford."
The singer-actor was soon slammed for his post, which has collected over 9,000 retweets and 18,000 likes since then. While many fans and followers shared screenshots of people protesting online, some bashed him for "supporting rioters". It started when filmmaker Essential Cernovich posted, "You’re funding rioters." Many others followed suit.
"As you sit in your gated community, you have no idea what is really going on. The individuals who are arrested are rioting and looting. Destroying minorities' businesses. If you want to help, donate to those families! Protest, yes! Loot and destroy, no!" on tweet read.
One Twitter user wrote, "Is he setting up a fund for ppl arrested in LA too? Probably not; too close to his backyard! Disgusting! Celebs who support destruction & anarchy! Let’s support by boycotting the entertainment industry. Let’s remember George Floyd by forgetting “Hollywood”. #BoycottCelebs." Another said, "Hey Justin, big fan here. This is not a good look, the ones getting arrested are the troublemakers. This idea is saying it’s ok to be violent and destroy a city because celebs will bail you out. You should be persuading them to be peaceful!"
"No can do! These aren’t protesters these are a disgraceful group of rioters. They have no right to burn, loot stores. How about you donate to the business owners who on top of Covid now have to deal with broken windows and theft," one wrote and another said, "This group wants to defund the police in Minnesota! You have now just confirmed your platform Their number one goal is to bail out immigrants “illegals” This is a horrible group to get behind rich celebs asking for others to donate.... throw your own money in."
Floyd's death has led to huge protests across Minneapolis as well as major outrage on social media.