Cher thinks she could’ve helped prevent George Floyd’s death if she’d been there
Cher. (Tara Ziemba/Getty)
Cher thinks she could have helped to prevent George Floyd’s brutal death if she had been there.
George Floyd, who was Black, died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 25 May, 2020, after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes.
Chauvin is currently on trial after he was charged with murder in the case. Writing on Twitter, Cher said she thinks she could have “helped” if she was there when Floyd died.
“Was talking with mom and she said ‘I watched trial of policeman who killed George Floyd, and cried’,” Cher tweeted.
“I said ‘Mom, I know this is gonna sound CRAZY, but… I kept thinking…. maybe if I’d been there… I could’ve helped,” she added.
Cher said George Floyd had the air ‘crushed out of his body’
In a second tweet, she said white people can “no longer stand on the sidelines” and must become actively anti-racist. She urged her followers to “stand in solidarity” with Black people.
Cher also mourned Floyd’s shocking death, saying he had the air “crushed out of his body” during the incident, which sparked anti-racism protests across the world.
The “Believe” singer has divided opinion on social media with her posts. While some praised Cher for having “compassion”, others accused her of being a “white saviour”.
https://twitter.com/TheJessieWoo/status/1378216254109052928
https://twitter.com/Wirjil/status/1378230684049932288
If I Could Turn Back Time, I would stop Cher from tweeting this https://t.co/epUwKju959
— Geeta Minocha (@geeta_minocha) April 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/ufoundmytwitaho/status/1378232372215361536
Mama, I'll say it with respect and I hope you take it. The intention to be there and help is pure, BUT a black man shouldn't need a white person to stand up for him to be safe. People will beat you up over this tweet, but go over the mean things and try to learn… PLEASE— 🌈✨ Liv ✨ 🌈 (@priestlyvance) April 3, 2021
cher protecting black people from police violence pic.twitter.com/xZOIMPWZXu— adi (@folieadieux) April 3, 2021
Y’all better leave Cher alone. Her heart is in the right place. Y’all need to stop bullying celebrities when they do cringe shit. We all do cringe shit.
I ain’t forget how y’all bullied the Imagine Video celebs.
But also, Miss Cher…no…What is you doin’? ❤️ pic.twitter.com/x7VzwExMpU— Yet Another English Teacher (@KokujinInTokyo) April 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/indiedynamo/status/1378230459117707270
Cher……… what was yo ass finna do? pic.twitter.com/fCOr7DI6ZO
— Petty L'Belle ☾ (@xoJoyBelleox) April 3, 2021
Awww Cher, you have the biggest purest heart, you care so much, your so compassionate, you always do your best and help all you can, your amazing, I just love you so much ❤❤❤— Samantha Cheralina💜 (@ACheryWorld) April 3, 2021
Cher’s comments come just days after Chauvin’s murder trial kicked off. He stands accused of second and third degree murder and manslaughter of George Floyd.
Chauvin has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, while his defence team have argued that he was doing what he was trained to do.
Jena Scurry, an emergency dispatcher, told the court that she thought the video feed had frozen when she saw CCTV footage of Floyd’s death because of the shocking length of time Chauvin knelt on his neck.
Donald Williams, a passer-by, also testified in court, saying he dialled 911 because he believed Floyd had been killed.
