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Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Michael B. Jordan Speak Out Over Police Shooting Of Daunte Wright

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Almost a year since George Floyd died in Minneapolis, social justice protesters have taken to the streets of Minnesota again, this time following the death of another Black man involving a police officer.

On Sunday, 20-year-old father-of-one Daunte Wright was shot after being pulled over for an alleged traffic violation while driving with his girlfriend.

In a police briefing on Monday evening, Minnesota Police Chief Tim Gannon said he believed the officer who shot Wright had 'the intention' to fire a taser but instead fired a gun. The officer, 26-year-old Kim Potter, is on 'administrative leave'.

Body camera footage was also shown to reporters at the press conference, showing a struggle with Wright and an officer, before Wright breaks free and gets back into the car and the officer, Potter shouts 'I'll tase you, Taser, taser, taser' at him pointing a weapon. A shot is fired, the car then drives off and the female voice is heard saying: 'I just shot him.' According to the New York Times, Wright drove and crashed into another car several streets away. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Photo credit: Stephen Maturen - Getty Images
Photo credit: Stephen Maturen - Getty Images

On Monday, the Minneapolis Medical Examiner released a report, ruling Wright's death as a 'homicide', determining his passing as a result of one shot to the chest.

'It appears to me from what I viewed and the officer's reaction and distress after that this was an accidental discharge that resulted in the tragic death of Mr Wright,' Gannon told reporters, adding that a criminal investigation is underway.

His distraught mother, Katie Wright, also spoke to reporters on Monday saying her son had called her when he was pulled over.

The police press conference did not serve to quell the anger mounting in the state over another Black man's death at the hands of the police. The state is still reacting to Floyds' death, which is currently the subject of a criminal trial involving the police officer who was filmed kneeling on Floyd's death for eight minutes, Derek Chauvin.

Protesters calling for justice took to the streets for a second night running in Minnesota on Monday, with some coming face to face with police officers as they defied curfew orders announced by the mayor earlier in the day. Vigils and protests took place in other US cities such as Seattle, New York City and Los Angeles.

Photo credit: KEREM YUCEL - Getty Images
Photo credit: KEREM YUCEL - Getty Images

High-profile politicians and celebrities have since been sharing their thoughts on Wright's death, angry that another Black person has died during an incident with the police, and the systemic racism within the police, legal systems and politics that paved the way for the deaths of Wright, Floyd, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and more.

Below are some of the most compelling and powerful reactions in response to the horrendous news:

Beyoncé

Photo credit: beyonce.com
Photo credit: beyonce.com

Michael B. Jordan

The actor shared a post from fellow actor, Viola Davis.

Photo credit: Michael B Jordan - Instagram
Photo credit: Michael B Jordan - Instagram

Kerry Washington

Regina King

Kim Kardashian

Photo credit: Instagram
Photo credit: Instagram

President Joe Biden

Vice President Kamala Harris

Black Lives Matter

The NAACP

Bernice King (daughter of Martin Luther King Jr)

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar

Jamie Foxx

Mayim Bialik

Common

Trevor Noah

Speaker Nancy Pelosi

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