Paul McCartney has released a statement expressing support for the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests.
The statement was posted on McCartney’s website, and promoted by The Beatles’ official social media channels.
As we continue to see the protests and demonstrations across the world, I know many of us want to know just what we can be doing to help. None of us have all the answers and there is no quick fix but we need change. We all need to work together to overcome racism in any form. We need to learn more, listen more, talk more, educate ourselves and, above all, take action.In 1964 The Beatles were due to play Jacksonville in the US and we found out that it was going to be to a segregated audience. It felt wrong. We said ‘We’re not doing that!’ And the concert we did do was to their first non-segregated audience. We then made sure this was in our contract. To us it seemed like common sense.
I feel sick and angry that here we are almost 60 years later and the world is in shock at the horrific scenes of the senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of police racism, along with the countless others that came before.
All of us here support and stand alongside all those who are protesting and raising their voices at this time. I want justice for George Floyd’s family, I want justice for all those who have died and suffered. Saying nothing is not an option.
Love Paul McCartney
Here are some of the important organisations to support in this fight for justice:
Black Lives Matter
https://blacklivesmatter.comColor Of Change
https://colorofchange.orgNAACP
https://www.naacp.orgStand Up to Racism
http://www.standuptoracism.org.ukCommunity Justice Exchange
https://www.communityjusticeexchange.orgCampaign Zero
https://www.joincampaignzero.org
Also on this day...
- 2024: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City
- 2016: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Capitol Theatre, Port Chester
- 2015: Paul McCartney live: Nouveau Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
- 2007: US album release: Memory Almost Full by Paul McCartney
- 1997: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Harbor Lights Pavilion, Boston
- 1992: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Bayfront Center, St Petersburg
- 1991: Paul McCartney live: Teatro Tenda Partenope, Naples
- 1989: UK album release: Flowers In The Dirt by Paul McCartney
- 1981: UK album release: Somewhere In England by George Harrison
- 1968: Recording: Don’t Pass Me By
- 1964: Television: Treslong, Hillegom, Netherlands
- 1963: The Beatles live: Odeon Cinema, Leeds
- 1962: Travel: Liverpool to London
- 1961: The Beatles live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
What does Sir Paul have to say to those who killed, injured or lives destroyed by the “protest” that he supports?
If he thinks the country that embraced him, the country where he owns multiple homes is so rotten. so racist… then why does he live in a racist nation, walk on racist sidewalks, sips racist tea? Oh, I get it. He’s not racist. Only we are.
You seem normal and well adjusted lmao
All Lives Matter. And thats that. Seems like some people created a reason to protest, and to riot,
they got a FREE Pass. No, not fair. Things have gotten way out of hand
When someone says “Black Lives Matter”, they’re not saying JUST Black Lives Matter. If that were the case, then why would Paul say so in the first place? People are saying “Black Lives Matter” because black people in America are treated like garbage. Racism is alive and well in many ways.
Paul, I’m an American Beatles fan since 1964. But I think you should keep your politics to yourself. You won’t learn anything about the BLM (self-described Marxists) from CNN or from the porch of your various mansions in Manhattan, Beverley Hills and the Hamptons. This is NOT a racist country. If you support BLM, then you are supporting the anarchy that has created tens of millions of property damage; destroying statues as a way of obliterating our past history. We are not a country that supports mob rule.
You should mingle with the little people, you might learn something about America.
How can you say this country isn’t racist when there was a White Nationalist rally in Virginia two years ago?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally
Lulu our nation is about as non racist as you can get. We have passed laws outlawing racism in every possible form. Are there racists in our nation. Yes. Is our nation racist. Not in the slightest.
Because The Beatles totally never spoke their minds about relevant political issues of the day right?
Why are people beings dicks about a positive message like this, like come on.