Drake pens emotional letter after being left ‘truly scared’ by Alton Sterling shooting

Drake commented on the “strained” relationship between “black and brown communities and law enforcement”
Speaking out: Drake has posted a letter on Instagram
Getty
Emma Powell7 July 2016
The Weekender

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Drake has penned an emotional open letter in the wake of the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, saying he has been left “truly scared”.

Sterling, who was 37, was killed following an altercation with Louisiana police outside a shop in Baton Rouge on July 5.

Mobile phone footage appeared to show Sterling being shot after being wrestled to the ground following reports that he was brandishing a gun.

Further footage later emerged and appeared to show officers removing a gun from Sterling’s pocket after he had been shot.

Canadian-born Drake – who calls America his “second home” – commented on the “strained” relationship between “black and brown communities and law enforcement” in a lengthy Instagram post.

He wrote: “I am grateful to be able to call America my second home. Last night when I saw the video of Alton Sterling being killed it left me feeling disheartened, emotional and truly scared. I woke up this morning with a strong need to say something.”

Commenting on the #AltonSterling hashtag which started trending soon after news of the death broke, Drake continued: “It’s impossible to ignore that the relationship between black and brown communities and law enforcement remains as strained as it was decades ago. No one begins their life as a hashtag. Yet the trend of being reduced to one continues.”

The Hotline Bling singer expressed his “concern for the safety of my family, my friends and any human being that could fall victim to this pattern” and said people need to engage in “open and honest dialogue” in order to bring about change.

He finished: “My thoughts and prayers are with the Sterling family and any family that has lost someone to this cycle of violence. Be safe out there. More life.”

Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Meek Mill, Nick Jonas and Justin Timberlake have all commented on the shooting.

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