Miguel was moved to tears while on stage at the Wireless Festival in London, over the weekend, due to the inhumane police killing of two African-Americans Alton Sterling andPhilando Castile; also the deaths of five cops, who were targeted by a sniper at a #BlackLivesMatter protest in Dallas, Texas.
He said, “There’s a lot going on in the world right now and it’s weighing heavy on my conscience. I couldn’t sleep last night.”
While fighting back tears, he continued, “I will not rest. I can not rest. We can not rest any more! We gotta do something, we gotta say something. Sorry about preaching… but it’s true. It’s true.”
The singer posted a demo of a song called How Many on Friday, (July, 8) which he said he had written in response to the shootings.
The opening lyrics of the song read, “I’m tired of human lives turned into hashtags and prayer hands/I’m tired of watching murderers get off.”
According to reports, it confirmed Miguel viewed the spate of violent attacks were meant to divide and separate people and instill fear, as he urged everyone to unify as that’s the only way to affect change.
As he wiped his tears, the singer shared a message of spreading love and not hate.
Miguel then led the cheering crowd in chanting, “We’re all that we got”.
Proceeding with his speech, he said, “The truth is, the world is only getting smaller and somehow in these times, we’re becoming more divided.” The 30-year-old continued, “I don’t understand how that happens. But while I’m on this f**king stage I’m thinking the best that we can do right in this f**king moment… is to show compassion and love and understanding.”
“Beware of the seeds planted in the garden of your mind… fill it with love… We are the new majority, you hear what I’m saying?” he asked, after which he thanked the cheering audience and exited the stage.
