Check out this Paramore fan's tribute to those who have lost their lives because of police brutality.
While Paramore have already joined the long list of musicians who are actively supporting the George Floyd protests by donating $25,000 to Black Lives Matter Nashville, Campaign Zero and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the band's listeners are getting involved and joining the cause, too.
In one particularly creative case, Robbie McElligott has reimagined the cover and tracklisting for the band's iconic 2007 album Riot!, changing the words on the artwork to the names of victims who have lost their lives because of police brutality.
"Fight with your bare hands about it now," Robbie says in the caption (referencing lyrics in album opener For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic), while writing of the tracklist, "No justice, no peace. Stand up for what you believe in and challenge corruption and call out injustice. RIP George Floyd."
With new titles like For a Realist, I’m Pretty Pessimistic, Misery Witness and That’s What We Get, it'll surely be a message that Paramore themselves will approve of, having said earlier in the week that they are committed "to be teachable, be vigilant, and be responsible with our privilege".
“Over the last couple of album cycles, one of the greatest things about being in Paramore has been the diversification of our band’s community of supporters,” reads their full statement. “In 2017 and 2018, specifically, we played shows for the most diverse crowds of our entire career. We have very clearly benefited from so many different communities of people – and most apparent to us, the black and LGBTQ+ communities. It is our turn to stand in solidarity with our black fans, friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc….and show our support in a very tangible way. These contributions are in addition to our commitment to be teachable, be vigilant, and be responsible with our privilege. We love you, we LOVE YOU… and BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
Check out the reimagined Riot! artwork and tracklist below:
Wondering how you can make a difference?
• Donate to George Floyd’s memorial fund.
• Fight for Breonna Taylor, a first responder who was killed in her bed by police searching for drugs that were never found.
• Help the family of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who was shot while jogging.
• Donate to the community bail funds of protestors.
• Head over to Movement For Black Lives.
• Connect with leaders building grassroots campaigns.
• And check out these anti-racism resources.
