The singer was on the scene, providing first aid assistance to injured protestors.
On Monday (June 1), Halsey shared a number of powerful images of her experience on the ground at Black Lives Matter protests in Los Angeles.
“It’s become very clear to me that some of you need to see what I’ve seen,” she captioned a slideshow of videos and photos featuring peaceful protestors being tear-gassed and shot at by police. “It’s easy from the comfort of your home to watch looting and rioting on television and condone the violent measures being taken by forces. But what you don’t see is innocent peaceful protestors being shot at and tear gassed and physically assaulted relentlessly.
“You think it’s not happening, it’s only the ‘thugs’ and the ‘riots,’ right? The police are keeping you safe right? You’re wrong,” she continued. “This is happening everywhere. And innocent people exercising their rights to speech and assembly are facing violence and abuse of power.”
In the post, the pop star also referenced how she was able to provide first aid assistance to injured protestors thanks to training from her mother. “There is little to no medical attention available,” she wrote. “I have first hand treated men women and children who have been shot in the chest, the face, the back. Some will lose vision some have lost fingers. I have been covered in innocent blood. My father is a black man. My mother is an EMT. This week I had to put those two associations together in ways that have horrified me.”
Halsey was quick to clarify that her intention in sharing the images was “NOT a virtual signaling post,” but rather a call to action for fans passively watching the protests take place on social media.
“With Trump’s decision today to enforce the mobilization of armed forces on our own citizens, this has escalated beyond your privilege and comfort to not care. Please care,” she urged. “We are begging you to care. This is war on Americans. This is everyone’s problem. Everyone’s.”
Check out Halsey’s heartfelt post below.
