ATLANTA — One of the most powerful moments during Friday night’s protests came from Atlanta-native rapper Killer Mike.
Mike, also known as Mike Render, has been a vocal Civil Rights advocate over the years, and Friday, he was joined by fellow rapper T.I. and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to address people protesting the death of George Floyd.
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“We have to be better than this moment. We have to be better than burning down our own homes because if we lose Atlanta what else do we have?” Mike said.
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Mike bluntly told demonstrators to go home and rethink about what they’re doing.
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“If we lose Atlanta, what else we got? We lose an ability to plot, to plan, to strategize, to organize and to properly mobilize,” Mike said. “I want you to go home. I want you to talk to 10 of your friends. I want you guys to come up with real solutions.”
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Killer Mike advocated for action through voting.
“It is time to beat up prosecutors you don’t like at the voting booth. It’s time to hold mayoral offices accountable, chiefs and deputy chiefs,” Mike said.
T.I. also spoke about how Atlanta is different than other cities when it comes to protests.
[FULL SPEECH: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms give impassioned plea for protesters to go home]
“Atlanta has been here for us. This is Wakanda,” T.I. said, referring to the fictional country from “Black Panther.” “It’s sacred. It must be protected.”
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