Halsey was among the many who participated in the nationwide protests on Saturday (May 30) over the death of George Floyd. And like some protesters, she found herself in the line of fire while calling for justice and an end to racism.
The biracial singer-songwriter — her mom is Irish, Italian and Hungarian, her dad African American — shared on her Instagram stories in a series of black-and-white photos Sunday that those who were marching in Los Angeles were not making trouble.
“we were peaceful hands up no tmoving not breaching the line. they opened fire of rubber bullets and tear gas multiple times on us. citizens who were not provoking them,” she wrote in the first two images, which showed police in protective gear and holding batons.
“most of us were simply begging them to have empathy. to reconsider. to consider humanity and our nations history and future,” she continued. “They opened fire multiple times. I was hit twice. Once by pellets and once by shrapnel. We were gassed repeatedly for hours.”
The musician ended her stories by saying that despite being fired upon by officers, the “frontline did not relent,” and urged her followers to “have courage,” noting that she would be back to protest.
Halsey also cleared up some confusion on Twitter, stating that she had not been detained during the demonstration. “I WAS NOT ARRESTED,” she tweeted, adding that she was safe and urging followers to donate to help with bail for those who were arrested. “There were ppl I had to get to safety as many of them have VISAs. Myself + many of my peers were shot, gassed + antagonized.”
The artist later explained in the early hours of Sunday morning why she feels it’s important to protest. “A true patriot is someone who will rebel against the government if it becomes necessary, to protect the greater good of their fellow citizens. We are patriots,” she tweeted. “If you are not, you are a coward. THIS is what democracy looks like.”
Later on Sunday, Halsey tweeted a harrowing update from protests in Santa Monica.
“I dont know how to articulate the horrors of today,” she wrote. “NG + officers firing rounds into kneeling crowds. We dont have enough medics on the ground on our side. I was treating injuries I am not qualified to. So much blood spilled. If you have med training pls go + standby outskirts.”
She added: “And if you’re a white ally who is gonna stand and shout and antagonize the officers and NG and then hide behind black bodies when the shots start firing, f— you. You couldnt understand a shred of the bravery of the black folks at the front line. Thank you to everyone who stayed.”
“And a big personal thank you to @yungblud who literally ran exposed in front of rounds being shot to drag wounded people to safety without even thinking twice,” she noted.
Halsey is one of many musicians who took to the streets to protest the death of Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while he was handcuffed and face-down on the ground. Nick Cannon, Lil Yachty, Chika, J. Cole, and many others have also joined protesters around the country to make their voices heard.
