Trevor Noah on George Floyd protests: 'Police in America are looting black bodies'

Christi Carras
·22 min read
Trevor Noah arriving at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Trevor Noah shared his thoughts on the George Floyd protests during Friday's episode of "The Daily Show." (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

As protesters across the country demand justice for George Floyd and other victims of racism and police brutality, Hollywood is continuing to amplify the cause on social media and onscreen.

During Friday night's at-home episode of "The Daily Show," Trevor Noah delivered a passionate speech on Floyd's killing, the activism his death has spurred and the mixed reactions to that activism — particularly calling out those denouncing looting.

"Think about that unease that you felt watching that Target being looted," Noah said. "Try to imagine how it must feel for black Americans when they watch themselves being looted every single day. Because that's fundamentally what's happening in America: Police in America are looting black bodies."

After sharing a photo of Floyd on the homepage of her website, Beyoncé posted a powerful video message on Instagram Saturday and encouraged fans to sign a petition seeking justice for Floyd and his family.

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If you want to demand more charges brought on all those involved in the death of George Floyd, click the link in my bio to sign the petition.

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on May 29, 2020 at 8:13pm PDT

"We all witnessed his murder in broad daylight. We're broken, and we're disgusted. We cannot normalize this pain. I'm not only speaking to people of color. If you're white, black, brown and anything in between, I'm sure you feel hopeless by the racism going on in America right now," Beyoncé said.

"No more senseless killings of human beings. No more seeing people of color as less than human. We can no longer look away. George is all of our family in humanity. He's our family because he's a fellow American," she added.

Here's a sampling of other celebrity reactions from Jane Fonda, Jay-Z, Jamie Foxx, Michael Jordan, Lil Nas X, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Kacey Musgraves and more.

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We cannot be silent anymore... I’ve been going to rally’s since Rodney King... when Treyvon Martin Happened I got a chance to forge a relationship with his mother @sybrinafulton … Who is now running for commissioner in Dade county Miami… we both have witnessed an acceleration of young black man being killed senselessly by police officers and random civilians trying to act like police officers… Being in Minnesota for George Floyd Felt like the straw on the camels back… we have to change policy when it comes to police brutality… We will be heading up to San Francisco tomorrow to meet with the mayor @londonbreed to have a Push for real change!! We cannot let all of these black folk down.... #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) on May 31, 2020 at 7:14am PDT

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“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character...” MLK My beautiful friends... This is a matter of humanity!!! Of goodness and basic human kindness and decency!!! My heart is breaking. So many people are hurting right now. How can anyone say they love this country and not do something when they see lives cut short because of the color of their skin? We need to erase the fear and hatred that exists. Not erase people. We are all God’s children. We need to love and appreciate all the beautiful things that every individual person is. There are more of us who live a life of love and acceptance than those who live in rage and hate. Do not let the angry, and hateful win!! Say something. Do something. Let’s build bridges not burn them. We have lost our way these past few years but we can find our way back. We need to speak up and speak love. Every chance we get... we need to storm the polls in November and VOTE... we need change!!! Somethings got to change!! 🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿 #JusticeForGerogeFloyd #GeorgeFloyd #BreonnaTaylor #AhmaudArbery #TooManyOthers

A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on May 31, 2020 at 7:34am PDT

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A post shared by Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) on May 30, 2020 at 10:13pm PDT

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Text "FLOYD" to 55156 #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 30, 2020 at 10:11am PDT

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dear white people, particularly white self-identifying liberals, we need to understand that what happened to Christian Cooper in central park is a problem. The killing of Breonna Taylor is a problem. The assassination of Ahmaud Arbery is a problem. The murder of George Floyd is a problem. and none of these are problems that belong to the black community. WE are the problem. We built the political structures that are in place today. We created the cultural divisions that continue to separate us. We created the financial system that has reinforced the wealth gap between White and Black America. We created it. We are the intended beneficiaries of this violence and oppression. Every time we accept that America is unequal and unjust towards Black people, we are complicit in supporting the structures of oppression and repression that underpin this society. So today donate to a bail fund like @mnfreedomfund. Support @blmlosangeles and @blklivesmatter. Go to a protest and march. Hold your elected officials accountable. And your friends and your racist uncle and yourself. Use the benefit of your protected voice. The video above is of LAPD members attacking unarmed non-violent protestors today. Love and respect to @kendrick38 and everybody else who was out there in the front lines.

A post shared by Joshua Jackson (@vancityjax) on May 30, 2020 at 5:15pm PDT

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I’m sure all of you feel the same way but my sadness has viciously turned into anger...this will not be overlooked!! Swipe for some truth Text FLOYD to 55156 so not just ONE, but all FOUR officers that took part in this MURDER will have to own up to their actions and be taken to jail for life. The fact that they could have stood there and watched is disgusting and in my eyes, just as bad. If you are able , please join me in donating to help the family of George Floyd with The Official George Floyd Memorial Fund

A post shared by Bella 🦋 (@bellahadid) on May 29, 2020 at 6:43pm PDT

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forgive me if this is a little all over the place.. words don’t come easy lately.. how does one even begin to express the grief, the rage, the pain that feels both immediate and ancestral? “police brutality”... let’s call it what it is: murder. my heart is heavy and aching for the lives cut short, for the souls left behind to pick up the pieces. the system is broken, we have to rebuild, we will overcome. to all my black kings and queens, take breaks when you need to, rest then rise. you are valued, you matter, you are loved, you are MAGIC 🖤

A post shared by Aisha Dee (@aishtray) on May 28, 2020 at 7:23pm PDT

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Like so many of you, I am angry, outraged and heartbroken about the injustice in our country that has been going on for way too long- centuries & generations. To my fans, each one of us has a voice—I’m asking you to please use it right now. Please call the Minnesota Governor at 651-201-3400 and Attorney General to demand #justiceforGeorgeFloyd (link in bio for numbers and script from @aclumn). They need to be held accountable. We can’t stand by, we need to each do our part to make justice for everyone a reality.

A post shared by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on May 29, 2020 at 10:18am PDT

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RIP George Floyd How many more lives do we have to lose? Surely this has to be the tipping point when we ALL face up to the police brutality that has been captured on video for everyone to see. Surely this is when we say STOP, we will not tolerate any more generations of black Americans and people of color growing up in fear of those who should protect them. When an unarmed and handcuffed man is murdered by the police in broad daylight while begging for his life, those in authority need to know that our outrage knows no bounds. We demand justice. There are many ways to make your voice heard. Sign the petition, get on the phone, talk to your family, friends and kids. If you are a business owner, make a public statement of support to your black clients, friends and co-workers. We can be the change. We have to start the conversation in our own circles. This is sickening. It’s got to stop. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #GeorgeFloyd #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by DUA LIPA (@dualipa) on May 29, 2020 at 8:23am PDT

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Power, love and safety to the crowds fighting for equality today and shame on the society that pushed them to have to do this yet AGAIN, just to be taken seriously, just to be afforded the opportunity to be allowed to live and to breathe freely. It’s so little to ask. It’s mortifying that this continues to be up for any debate. Don’t be fooled by the idea/ media/presidential narrative that they are doing this to cause reckless havoc. It’s actually a lot of non-Black people creating the destruction and of COURSE, Black people are being framed as the AGGRESSORS. Big surprise there. Nothing about these protests is reckless, it’s the only way to combat the oppressive, constant and pervasive violence they are met with physically and emotionally every day of their lives. Even in the supposed safety of their own homes. What is reckless is how these people who have historically been so oppressed, are continuously mistreated in the name of white supremacy. These are human beings who are punished generation upon generation for having been Fucking KIDNAPPED and brought here in the first place. These protests are not just for George Floyd, they are for every single Black person who is unsafe everywhere they go; because of the threat of white people with or without badges. Love to the families who lost George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony Mcdade, Ahmaud Arbery, and Nina Pop. And the countless other Black families who fear for their loved ones just for existing. We all have to join in, amplify these stories and this cause, donate, support and educate our fellow non-black people so that they don’t have to do this Work of explaining why they should be treated as human beings. Their lives matter to me. If they matter to you follow people like: @rachel.cargle @privtoprog @theconsciouskid @munroebergdorf @renieddolodge @ibramxk to educate yourself and pass on their work, and figure out how to utilize any privilege you have for us to live in a better and equal world. ❤️ a follower of mine @50shadesofgary just said below, you can’t just shake a can again and again and then be angry at the direction of the explosion when it’s opened.👌🏽

A post shared by Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamilofficial) on May 29, 2020 at 2:43pm PDT

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George Floyd. You should be alive.

A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross) on May 26, 2020 at 7:48pm PDT

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After the murder, officers called his death a "medical problem." And it wasn't until the video was released clearly showing them choking him, did we finally see the truth. This was a blatant and disgusting coverup to prevent accountability for their brutal act of police violence. Demand justice now. #justiceforfloyd @colorofchange

A post shared by Olivia Wilde (@oliviawilde) on May 27, 2020 at 8:12am PDT

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“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance allied with power is the most ferocious enemy justice can have. “ -James Baldwin #rip #georgefloyd I send love to his family and friends. This is heartbreaking.

A post shared by Katie Holmes (@katieholmes212) on May 26, 2020 at 4:05pm PDT

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Past few days I’ve been stunned trying make sense of George Floyd’s death. The video. The plea for breath. The callous response. The racism. The killing. This is our ongoing disease. I’ve had cops in my family. Good men. And there’s a cop code, granting you the authority to use force if your life is in danger. But when a man is handcuffed, on the ground, no longer a threat, with your brothers in arms standing around watching and he struggles to say, “please I can’t breathe” when your knee is on his neck.. not his back, but his neck - cutting off his air. Cop code must become moral code. Ethics code. HUMANITY code. Knowing that if you don’t ease up, then that man is going to die. So when you decide to not ease up, your intention is to kill. And that’s what this was. George Floyd, said “officer I can’t breathe” as he struggled for air. He said these words a total of 15 times. Not once. Not twice. 15 times. These officers will be charged, I’m positive of that. Held accountable. But then where’s the greater accountability? The leadership to healing. More importantly, the leadership to EQUALITY. We ultimately win when we can normalize equality. I’m so sorry to the Floyd family. My heart breaks for you. Let the process begin now. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #NormalizeEquality

A post shared by therock (@therock) on May 28, 2020 at 10:30pm PDT

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GEORGE FLOYD my heart breaks for you and your family. #policebrutality needs to stop. #sayhisname

A post shared by Zoë Kravitz (@zoeisabellakravitz) on May 27, 2020 at 3:39am PDT

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I can’t post the video 😡, I can still see the killer with his hands in his pocket and knee on the neck of a handcuffed black man🙏🏿rest in peace 🙏🏿 #georgefloyd and I hate him and all the cops that was there for it

A post shared by 2 Chainz Aka Tity Boi (@2chainz) on May 27, 2020 at 1:12am PDT

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George Floyd was killed at the hands of 4 officers in Minneapolis on Monday. The video is abhorrent. He should be alive. Getting killed by the police is the 6th leading cause of death of young black men in this country. White friends: We can’t let our discomfort, ego, or belief that this work doesn’t include us, prevent us from acknowledging our privilege and that we have the burden of dismantling white supremacy. We do. We can not be complacent. We can not be silent. We need to have this conversation with our families and friend and coworkers. Let’s turn outrage into action. It starts with texting FLOYD to 55156 to demand that the officers who murdered George Floyd are arrested and charged. The link in my bio was compiled by @sarahsophief and has tangible things we can all do to educate ourselves (articles, films, who to follow on social media, organizations that need our funding, etc...) and disrupt the system from which we benefit. #georgefloyd

A post shared by Mandy Moore (@mandymooremm) on May 27, 2020 at 7:36am PDT

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I haven't slept since I saw this on the 7 p.m. CNN segment last night. Literally: I have not closed my eyes. This is genocide; this is lynching without a rope. This is murder. I am asking all decent and good people to call the mayor of Minneapolis 612 673 2100. Please voice your outcries and leave a voicemail for the mayor who fired the 4 satanic evils. We shall overcome. But we have to keep overcoming every single day we live and breathe. #justiceforfloyd

A post shared by Andre Leon Talley (@andreltalley) on May 27, 2020 at 8:09am PDT

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Most of you come to my page for happy, uplifting and positive content. But tonight, my heart is wrecked over the racial injustice that has been happening for ages and continues to happen today. I can’t comprehend it. I couldn’t watch the video the first time through. I forced myself to watch a second time to the end so my heart would be ripped open raw with tears, sorrow, empathy and anger. I’m reading your posts on how I can help. I don’t know how powerful sharing on Instagram is, but I won’t be silent. We are one race, the human race. I pray for this country and the sin in all of us. I pray for God’s mercy. I pray for justice. #justiceforfloyd

A post shared by Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) on May 26, 2020 at 9:58pm PDT

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💔

A post shared by Diddy (@diddy) on May 26, 2020 at 5:41pm PDT

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Our hearts broke as we protested the death of Eric Garner. We now demand justice for George Floyd. #georgefloyd #ericgarner 💔

A post shared by David O (@davidoyelowo) on May 26, 2020 at 4:37pm PDT

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Reposted from @pinkmantaray Nina Pop. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. And now George Floyd. Cw—racism, murder, violence, police brutality. These vicious, racist murders are a direct reflection on society. Which means: it is EVERYONE’S responsibility to fight. Raising awareness is a great start but there is so much work to be done outside of social media. Swipe for some thoughts. — EDIT: A few folks have noted that posting videos of these murders can often feel extremely dehumanizing, can feel exploitative of Black folks pain, can feel like trauma porn. I have intentionally NOT shared the videos of George Floyd’s murder and I’d encourage you to think deeply about sharing them. We should not need the videos to prove the existence of the injustices of white supremacy.

A post shared by Indya Moore (@indyamoore) on May 27, 2020 at 2:35pm PDT

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This is not okay. And it will not stop until everyone does their part. Especially white people. I said it recently and I’ll say it again, do not let your discomfort surrounding social issues prevent you from speaking up for those IN DANGER. And reality is, until this STOPS COMPLETELY - THE BLACK COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE IN DANGER. DO YOUR PART. THIS INVOLVES YOU TOO. #GeorgeFloyd, I hope you RIP because it isn’t fair so many didn’t do their part to ensure you lived in peace.

A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on May 26, 2020 at 7:08pm PDT

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Do you understand NOW!!??!!?? Or is it still blurred to you?? 🤦🏾‍♂️ #StayWoke👁

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on May 26, 2020 at 4:38pm PDT

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Enough is enough! What will it take ? A civil war ? A new president? Violent riots ? It’s tired ! I’m tired ! The country is tired !You don’t put fear in people when you do this you just show how coward YOU ARE ! And how America is really not the land of the free !

A post shared by Cardi B (@iamcardib) on May 26, 2020 at 7:00pm PDT