Lewis Hamilton, Kerry Washington and Bernice King are the latest international stars and notable figures to lend their voices to the #EndSARS campaign in Nigeria.
Record-winning British Formula 1 driver Hamilton took to his Twitter account to raise awareness for the campaign and seek justice for victims of police brutality in Nigeria.
“We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves and raise awareness of the tragedies happening in the world around us and take action where we can. The recent events in Nigeria are a human rights crisis”, the star tweeted to his almost 6 million followers. He followed with a link to Amnesty International’s website and urged fans to find out more about #EndSARS.
Meanwhile Bernice King, the youngest child of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., urged Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari to “do what’s just” and end police brutality in the country.
In a tweet, King wrote: “Why raise our voices about #Nigeria? As my father, #MLK, said, ‘we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.’ Everyone from every nation should be free from police brutality. Do what’s just, @MBuhari,” ending with the hashtags #EndSARS and #endPoliceBrutality.
King’s tweet was reposted by actress Kerry Washington, who again urged Buhari to “do what’s just.”
Meanwhile Nigerian star Davido has condemned all cases of looting, arson and violence around the country in the aftermath of anti-police brutality protests.
“It is painful that what started as a peaceful protest has been hijacked and turned into complete Anarchy, in total disrespect to those that lost their lives during the Peaceful protest. This is def not the way to honour those that lost their lives while protesting peacefully,” the artiste tweeted.
“What is there to gain from burning and looting private businesses that provide employment to our own people??”
He continued: “Please stop stop stop stop! It all makes no sense whatsoever !! If you know anybody partaking in this, tell them to stop!!”
Largely peaceful protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS} erupted in the country early October, but degenerated into riots, looting and violence in several parts of the country.
“We need a Country where there is law and order for us to make any real change !!! Please stop!” Davido said.
Rita Osakwe
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