If you open your Instagram or Twitter feed, you may have seen many monochrome images, all in black. Many internet users and many stars have indeed, through this, wanted to support the black community, a week after the death of George Floyd, this African-American killed by the police. Since the tragedy, demonstrations and riots have broken out across the United States. More than a million tweets were sent Tuesday, worldwide, using the hashtag #BlackOutTuesday.
This initiative was launched by the music industry. Several companies, such as the organizer of LiveNation shows, "majors" including Columbia, Sony or Warner, have stopped all activity on social networks, even all commercial activity. "This is not a day of rest. It is a day to reflect," wrote Columbia Records, for example.
pic.twitter.com/fZvZPw3tLD
- Columbia Records (@ColumbiaRecords) May 31, 2020Rihanna stops all commercial activity
Many stars have joined the process, such as Rihanna. The famous singer even announced that her brands would not sell any product on this #BlackOutTuesday.
we ain't buying shit !!! and we ain't selling shit neither !! gang gang! #BLACKOUTTUESDAY AF !!! @FentyOfficial @fentybeauty @ SavageXFentypic.twitter.com / XNC44Tegj5
- Rihanna (@rihanna) June 2, 2020Zidane, Orelsan and Hanouna in France
In France too, many anonymous people participated in the initiative, as well as stars like Cyril Hanouna, Orelsan and even Zinédine Zidane.
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A publication shared by OrelSan (@orelsan) on June 2, 2020 at 3:39 am PDT
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A publication shared by zidane (@zidane) on June 2, 2020 at 5:01 am PDT
In parallel with this initiative, other hashtags flourished during the day. The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter was one of the most tweeted on Tuesday, as was the #JusticePourAdama (Traoré) in France, alluding to another case where a young black man died a few hours after a brutal arrest by the forces of order.