In the wake of several protests following George Floyd’s death, rapper and activist Killer Mike appeared at a press conference in Atlanta. During his emotional speech, the 45-year-old spoke about his resentment at police brutality in today’s world.
“I’m mad as hell. I woke up wanting to see the world burn yesterday, because I’m tired of seeing black men die. He casually put his knee on a human being’s neck for nine minutes as he died like a zebra in the clutch of a lion’s jaw,” Killer Mike said in reference to the viral video of ex-officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck.
He continued, “So that’s why children are burning it to the ground. They don’t know what else to do. And it is the responsibility of us to make this better right now. We don’t want to see one officer charged, we want to see four officers prosecuted and sentenced. We don’t want to see targets burning, we want to see the system that sets up for systemic racism burnt to the ground.”
In addition to Atlanta, protests also broke out in Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Chicago, New York and more. Before wrapping up his thoughts, Killer Mike emphasized the importance of peaceful efforts, referencing the actions of Martin Luther King.
“I am duty-bound to be here to simply say: That it is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy. It is your duty to fortify your own house, so that you may be a house of refuge in times of organization. And now is the time to plot, plan, strategize, organize, and mobilize,” he said.
The message came after Killer Mike spoke about the importance of the second amendment. “God gave you the right to use whatever tools are available to defend your rights. Nothing—including gun ownership—should be discarded. I encourage gun ownership to my wife, my son and daughters, your sons and daughters and all Black people,” he penned in a piece for Color Lines.