Hollywood actress, Keke Palmer came out in Los Angeles on Tuesday to participate in the National Protests against police brutality and racism.
However, what made her participation unique is the passionate exchange she had with the soldiers of the National Guard, asking them to march with the protesters and join the campaign to end police brutality.
Keke Palmer was with a group protesting the killing of George Floyd when she came upon some National Guardsmen who were deployed on the streets following Trump’s orders.
In the video that has gone viral, Keke Palmer is seen speaking to the Guardsmen about racism and police brutality and why everyone needs to work together to end it. She told the troops how President Trump’s actions are further fueling the divide between protesters and authorities. She also condemned the “when the looting starts the shooting starts” threat Trump made.
“You have to understand what’s going on,” she told the well-armed and camouflage-clad soldiers. “You have a president talking about the Second Amendment as a use for people to come out here and use firearms against the people protesting. This is the message that we’re seeing,” she says. “You have to pay attention to what’s going on. We have a president that’s trying to incite a race war, and when the borders are closed. We can’t leave. You have people in here that need your help. This is when you and y’all can stand together with the community, with society, to stop the governmental oppression. Period. We need you.”
At that point, one of the solders said, “I agree with you.”
“She then requested, “March with us. March beside us. Get your people. March beside us. Let the revolution be televised. March beside us and show us that you’re here for us. Let’s just do it. We start marching and you march with us.”
The crowd, many of whom were surrounding the scene with phones up to record the action, started cheering, clapping and chanting, “March with us!”
Another soldier then explained that they were not allowed to leave their post due to orders to control that section, so he offered to march down the block through the next intersection.
“It will send a huge message,” Palmer replied. When he said he had to stay to protect the businesses as well, she said, “I’m at a loss.”
Another woman then asked the same soldier to take a knee to show support to the protest and he did alongside some of his guards on ground.
Watch the viral video which was posted by NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz below.
