A South Carolina police officer has been charged with murder in the death of an unarmed black man on Saturday, and celebrities including Big Boi, Janelle Monae and more have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Walter Scott.
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In addition to the swift murder charge against Officer Michael T. Slager, what makes this case different from the controversial death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., is the fact that the entire incident was caught on cell phone video — including the officer allegedly dropping a taser near Scott’s body to make it look like he had a weapon. The video was obtained and posted by The New York Times. Eric Garner’s death at the hands of a New York police officer last year was also videotaped, but — as in Ferguson — the grand jury decided not to press charges in that case.
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See below for celebrity reactions:
Once again….. #WalterScott
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) April 8, 2015
can you imagine the amount of murders that went down before the age and development of cell phone videos? this didn’t start this year.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) April 8, 2015
Though it never should have happened, so far, it looks as though justice will be served in THIS case. (thanks to vid proof) #WalterScott
— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) April 8, 2015
— Big Boi (@BigBoi) April 8, 2015
RT @IlllIllIl: This is a cop “fearing for his life” #WalterScott
pic.twitter.com/jC1XVNLcBc
— Big Boi (@BigBoi) April 7, 2015
This brought tears to my eyes. #WalterScott reminds me of my uncle, family. Can only imagine the pain his fam feels: http://t.co/ycqujXjDnn
— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) April 7, 2015
— Lecrae (@lecrae) April 7, 2015
#WalterScott. Please God, help people find their way to humanity.
— Anika Noni Rose (@AnikaNoniRose) April 8, 2015
“Texas Bill Would Make Recording Police Illegal http://t.co/XdLG7RAEat via @HuffPostPol” Texans…Protect yourselves. Don’t let this happen.
— Anika Noni Rose (@AnikaNoniRose) April 8, 2015
You look at the #WalterScott video & think it shows something other than the wrongful murder of a fleeing man? What is wrong with your eyes?
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) April 8, 2015
You look at the #WalterScott video & give money to the officer who gunned him down? What is wrong with your heart?
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) April 8, 2015
Look at the #WalterScott video. Imagine he was your loved one, & what his family feels. Let go of whatever has hardened you. Please.
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) April 8, 2015
At this point, the Slager murder seems like a message, a mafia thing, like it’s meant to shut people down or set them off. It HAS TO END
— Joss Whedon (@josswhedon) April 8, 2015
I love how the #WalterScott coverage speaks to the commendations of the assailant & the “criminal record” of the victim #SadButNotSurprising
— Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) April 8, 2015