Beyoncé Attended the VMAs With the Mothers of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Mike Brown, and Oscar Grant

Beyoncé has arrived at the 2016 MTV VMAs accompanied by the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Mike Brown, and Oscar Grant.

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Complex Original

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Just hours before the 2016 VMAs kicked off, MTV confirmed that Beyoncé would hit the stage for a performance. Prior to the ceremony, Bey stepped on the red carpet with a group of women in tow—four of which were Sybrina Fulton, Gwen Carr, Lesley McSpadden, and Wanda Johnson, who are the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Mike Brown, and Oscar Grant, respectively.

Though it’s unclear if the women will have any part in Beyoncé’s performance, the invitation further underscores the singer’s involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement. Not only has she shown her support by attending rallys to end police brutality against minorities, she has also used her platform to raise awareness on the issue. Her politically charged visual album LEMONADE, which earned 11 nominations this year, also featured the four mothers holding pictures of the sons they lost.

In an interview with SiriusXM earlier this year, McSpadden explained her part in the LEMONADE project, and how she appreciated Beyoncé’s support.

"I felt special. She had also did some things for my son's foundation, so at that point, I said, 'Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.’” McSpadden said. “I appreciate her for being bold enough to confront things and being sensitive at the same time.”

 

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