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Los Angeles - The shooting death of two black men at the hands of police in the matter of days has led to an outcry nationwide, and celebrities were among those expressing their anguish in social media.
Beyoncé released one of the most powerful statements on the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile on her website on Thursday, praying for "an end to this plague of injustice in our communities".
"We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities. It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they 'stop killing us.' We don't need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives. We're going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violet action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished.
"These robberies of lives make us feel helpless and hopeless but we have to believe that we are fighting for the rights of the next generation for the next young men and women who believe in good.
"This is a human fight. No matter your race, gender or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalized, who is struggling for freedom and human rights. This is not a plea to all police officers but towards any human being who fails to value life.
"The war on people of colour and all minorities needs to be over. Fear is not an excuse. Hate will not win.
"We all have the power to channel our anger and frustration into action. We must use our voices to contact the politicians and legislators in our districts and demand social and judicial changes. While we pray for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, we will also pray for an end to this plague of injustice in our communities.
"Click in to contact the politicians and legislators in your area. Your voice will be heard."
Following her statement, Beyoncé stopped her concert in Glasgow for a moment of silence to pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives to police brutality.
Along with Sterling and Castile, the names of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and Freddie Gray lit up the screens of the 34-year-old's performance in a lengthy list that ended with, "and countless others."
