A new Change.org petition calls on the artists performing during Super Bowl LIII's halftime show to take a knee during their acts.
Given the controversies surrounding the #TakeAKnee movement, there were reports Super Bowl organizers were having difficulty booking musicians for the show. However, as Blavity previously reported, the league confirmed pop group Maroon 5 would take the stage during halftime of the big game on February 3 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Grammy-winning band will also be joined onstage by rappers Travis Scott and ATL native Big Boi.
The new petition was created by Vic Oyedeji on January 14, shortly after it was revealed Big Boi had agreed to perform. It currently has more than 85,000 signatures.
"Show the hundreds of millions of people watching that you stand in solidarity with Kaepernick and all players who protest police brutality," Oyedji's plea reads. "Use this opportunity to force the NFL to change their policy."
Speaking with Billboard, Oyedji said he holds no animosity toward Maroon 5, but he thinks the sight of them taking a knee would help advance the cause of social justice.
"I have nothing against the band, this isn't about them and they just got caught in the crossfire," Oyedeji said. "I'm saying the only way for them to preserve their reputation is to take a knee during their set to show the hundreds of millions of people watching their solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and the players who are protesting police brutality."
While none of the artists have responded to Oyedeji's ask, Scott did insist the NFL partner with him to make a joint contribution to a nonprofit of his choosing, Blavity reported. The league and the rapper donated $500,000 to Dream Corps, a nonprofit founded in 2014 by news commentator and author Van Jones.
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