Madonna unveiled her new video for “God Control,” a stirring, politically-charged visual that addresses gun violence in a very literal way, on Wednesday (June 26).
The graphic clip, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, depicts a shooting at a night club while Madonna types out the song lyrics on a typewriter.
“This is what happens when people shoot,” Madonna told CNN of viewers who may have a problem with the graphic images. “Understand that this is what happens. Guns kill. A bullet rips through your body, knocks you to the floor and takes your life, and you bleed to death. I mean this is reality.”
The description of the video reads: “This is your wake up call. Gun violence disproportionately affects children, teenagers and the marginalized in our communities. Honor the victims and demand GUN CONTROL. NOW.”
Madonna also spoke to People about how, especially as a mother of six, this is a huge fear. “I send my children to school with the same fear every mother in this era has,” she said.
“As a mother, you feel protective and responsible for all of the children in the world,” Madonna continued. “It’s really scary to me that the once-safe spaces where we gather, worship and learn are targets. Nobody’s safe. So of course, as a mother, I acutely feel the worry.”
“I made this video because I want to draw attention to a crisis that needs to be addressed. To me, this is the biggest problem in America right now,” she said. “I cannot take it anymore.”
“God Control” is from the star’s No. 1 album, Madame X, out now.
Watch the chilling video below.