Nick Cannon addresses Black Lives Matter protest and rally in Times Square in NYC wearing a ‘I still can’t breath’ protective mask
Nick Cannon has been on the frontlines of the ongoing protests against police brutality and racism, which included flying to Minneapolis to attend demonstrations near where George Floyd was killed while in police custody.
And on Sunday The Masked Singer host made his presence felt when he attended the rally in Times Square in New York City in support of Black Lives Matter.
With the city curfew now lifted, it was just one of nearly three dozen gatherings and protests happening on Sunday in New York’s five boroughs.
On the frontlines: Nick Cannon, 39, attended the Black Lives Matter protest and rally in New York’s Times Square on Sunday
Looking edgy-cool in a black leather jacket, matching t-shirt and head-wrap, Cannon was among the many people to take the microphone and address the determined crowd.
He also made sure to wear a black protective face mask as much as possible that read: ‘I still can’t breathe!’ on it, which is a reference to some of the last words Floyd uttered before he died as a white police officer had his knee into his neck on May 25.
Cannon has to be extra vigilant with safety precautions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic because he has admittedly had struggles with his immune system.
The Masked Singer host wore a protective mask that read: ‘I still can’t breathe!’ on the front of it, which is a reference to some of the last words George Floyd uttered before he died as a white police officer had his knee into his neck on May 25
Despite the dangers, he has felt compelled to go out and give his support to Black Lives Matter and the many protests and marches.
‘I’ve almost lost my life to health concerns many times, so I’ve kind of always been a little bit more careful when it comes to my immune system than most,’ the 39-year-old told News Herald.
‘But when you got to step out there and protest and speak and stand for your people in the same way that our ancestors did, being on that front line is a little more demanding.’
He added that everyone has to look deep inside themselves and say, ‘What is more important: my own health concerns, or the concerns of humanity? And that’s where I commend the people who are peacefully protesting and putting their lives on the line.’
Safety First: Cannon only pulled his mask done on occasion to address the crowd, due to his health issues with his immune system
After a more than two-month coronavirus shutdown, officials lifted a curfew that was in place amid the protests that have been ongoing since May 26.
But those officials are also urging the demonstrators be tested for COVID-19.
‘Get a test. Get a test,’ New York Governor Andrew Cuomo urged people who have been participating in the rallies and marches.
With that in mind, he also said the state would be opening 15 testing sites dedicated to protesters so they can get their test results back in a timely manner,’ according to Time Magazine.
In a massive show of unity, there were also a slew of protests, marches and rallies across the US and other cities around the world on Sunday.
Staying vigilant: Despite his health concerns, Cannon has felt compelled to go out and give his support to Black Lives Matter and the many protests and marches; Officials in New York are urging all demonstrators to be tested for COVID-19