Kehlani and Beyoncé react to fatal shooting of Ma’Khia Bryant

via @Kehlani/Instagram

Kehlani is calling for police abolition following the 16-year-old’s death.

A 16-year-old Black teenager named Ma’Khia Bryant was shot and killed by a police officer in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday (20 April). The teenager was killed around 30 minutes before a jury reached a guilty verdict in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. 

In the wake of Bryant’s death, a number of high-profile musicians such as Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber and Common have taken to social media to pay their respects to the teenager. Some, such as former Crack Magazine cover star Kehlani, have also called for police abolition.

“There is no ‘changing’ the police”, said Kehlani in an Instagram post. “There is no adjusting a murderous system. The only answer has always been and will ALWAYS be to ABOLISH the police.” [sic]

She added: “When the response to abolishment was, ‘well who are you going to call now?’ HERES YOUR ANSWER. Ma’Khia Bryant called for help. Breonna Taylor, the police were called for help. ACAB. ABOLISH THE FUCKING POLICE. Say her name.” [sic]

 

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A post shared by Kehlani (@kehlani)

Derek Chauvin was found guilty this week for the murder and manslaughter of George Floyd last year. Floyd’s death sparked international outrage and led to widespread protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. His murder conviction has been celebrated globally. However, as artists such as Loraine James acknowledge: “This doesn’t mean the end, police brutality still continues, abuse of power still continues, racism still continues.” [sic]

 

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A post shared by Loraine James (@setfiretoloraine)

A fundraiser for Byrant was set up on GoFundMe earlier this week. However, it appears to have been taken down. A petition to the Columbus Police Department has since been launched. You can sign it here.

Read a selection of Ma’Khia Bryant tribute posts below and revisit our Black Lives Matter resources roundup.

 

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A post shared by Common (@common)

 

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A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber)

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