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Beyoncé Pays Tribute to Victims of Turkish Coup

With all the devastation and tragedy happening every single day across the world, we need to share as much love and kindness as possible to remind those touched by these events that they will not be ignored.

As she closed her Saturday night show in Amsterdam, Beyoncé gave her own tribute to the victims of the failed Turkish coup where 200 people were killed and another 1400 have been injured. She sang her emotional 2009 single Halo to the packed-out stadium, as shown in the video below.

“This song is about love,” she said before the song began. “I want to dedicate it to all the lives lost in Turkey. Y’all help me sing tonight.”

Beyoncé has previously spoken about the #BlackLivesMatter movement following the spate of recent incidences of police brutality that led to the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. In response to the tragedy, she shared a note entitled ‘Freedom’ on her website. In the note, she portrays the anger and hopelessness that many people feel toward the issue and encourages others to join the fight by asking politicians and legislators to make some necessary changes to the justice system.

“This is a human fight. No matter your race, gender or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalised, who is struggling for freedom and human rights,” the note says.

According to The Fader, she also “held a moment of silence” and performed an a capella version of Freedom as a tribute to them.  An emotional and stirring moment in honour of the lives both lost and shattered by more senseless violence.

Image: NME