Keke Palmer praised for urging the National Guard to march with protesters in viral video

3 June 2020, 12:12

Tessa Thompson shares peaceful Black Lives Matter protest video

By Katie Louise Smith

"Let the revolution be televised. March beside us and show us that you’re here for us."

Keke Palmer took to the streets of Los Angeles yesterday (June 2) to march alongside protesters in the name of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter.

In a video that has since gone viral, Keke stops to address the National Guard, who had been deployed on the streets to help maintain order following some looting and vandalism that overshadowed the peaceful protests currently going on in the city.

Keke speaks directly to a few officers and asks them to march alongside her and a group of protesters. Her clear, precise and passionate comments have been widely praised on social media.

READ MORE: Halsey slams police for firing rubber bullets at her and other Black Lives Matter protesters

The footage was captured by NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz. The original video now has 13.4 million views. Watch the full video below.

Read Keke's speech in full: “You have a president saying, ‘Once the looting starts, the shooting starts’. You have a president talking about the second amendment as a use for people to come out here and use firearms against the people that are protesting. 

This is the messages that we’re seeing… I don’t know if you’re on social media because the news don’t tell you everything. But you have to pay attention to what’s going on or else we have a president that’s trying to incite a race war.

And when the borders are closed. We can’t leave. We have people here that need your help. This is when y’all stand together with the community, with society, to stop the governmental oppression. Period. We need you, so march with us. 

March with us. March beside us. Get your people. March beside us. Let the revolution be televised. March beside us and show us that you’re here for us. Let’s just do it. We start marching and you march with us. Make history with us please! We’ll start marching and you march with us. Please.”

The officer offers to make Keke a deal, saying “Because I can’t leave this post, I will march through this street with you guys. From this intersection to that intersection but I have to patrol this area.”

Keke didn't think the compromise was enough. Off screen, another protester asks the guard to take a knee with them, while Keke can be heard in the background saying, “That ain’t enough for me.”

READ MORE: Here's how to support the Black Lives Matters protesters

Keke has been praised for her powerful speech, and her comments regarding the National Guard taking a knee. Amid the protests, some law enforcement have been criticised for being performative when kneeling with protesters. Many agreed with Keke’s sentiment, and have also expressed how important her message is.

To find out more about the protests and ways in which you can help, visit: HERE.