George Floyd protest: Keisha Lance Bottoms and Killer Mike speeches

Widespread rioting and looting across the United States have shocked the world. But these speeches have left us speechless.

The United States has been gripped by protests as anger flares over the death of black man George Floyd at the hands of police.

There’s been rioting, looting and widespread destruction, particularly in Minneapolis – the epicentre of the protests.

Despite the chaos, some powerful voices are rising above and they’re hard to ignore.

LANGUAGE WARNING

"This is chaos. A protest has purpose. When Dr. King was assassinated we didn't do this to our city," Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said. "If you want change in America, go and register to vote." https://t.co/1M9DJg6CSz pic.twitter.com/74p8sryX0D

— Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) May 30, 2020

Keisha Lance Bottoms

American politician, lawyer and current Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms gave an impassioned speech that has been heard by tens of millions of people.

Fighting back tears she described calling her 18-year-old black son and warning him to avoid the riots.

She also slammed the violence in her community.

“You’re not honouring a legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement,” she said.

“You are not protesting anything running out with brown liquor in your hands, breaking windows in this city. T.I., Killer Mike owned half the West side, so when you burn down this city, you’re burning down our community.”

Drop everything and watch Killer Mike's speech in Atlanta tonight. I don't agree with him on all of his politics, but that doesn't matter tonight. He's 100% right about how to handle protesting and how to change the system... and it isn't burning your city to the ground. pic.twitter.com/VzDNMTM0wH

— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) May 30, 2020

Killer Mike

Michael Santiago Render is better known by his stage name Killer Mike.

He’s an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and activist. And when called upon to address the violence, he delivered.

“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 organisation. And now is the time to plot, plan, strategise, organise, and mobilise.”

I just felt like more (black) people needed to hear this 😞 #GeorgeFloydProtests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/VUWmLdi9cP

— teee ❤️ (@g0ldie_teee) May 31, 2020

16-year-old boy

In this video, three men are filmed discussing the merits of the protest.

An older man intensely speaks to a 16-year-old boy, warning him about the future.

“In ten years, you’re going to be doing the same thing I’m doing.”

“I’m ready to die for what’s going on right now,” another man says.

You can hear the passion in their voices.

A teenage boy listens to an older man talk about the protests. Picture: Twitter