the killers black lives matter george floyd performance
[Photo via YouTube]

Watch the Killers reimagine “Land Of The Free” in support of BLM

Over the past few weeks, musicians have been showing their support for the ongoing protests over the wrongful death of George Floyd. Now, the Killers are one of the latest bands to get involved with the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Las Vegas band have reimagined their 2019 single “Land Of The Free” to show their support for Black Lives Matter.

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Artists have been using their social media platforms to express their support for Black Lives Matter. Halsey, YUNGBLUD, Machine Gun Kelly, blink-182‘s Travis Barker and Paramore‘s Hayley Williams are just a few artists who have been vocal online over the past few weeks.

For the Killers, however, they have remained relatively quiet on social media as protests continue worldwide. Now, this week, the band have shared a video of them performing a rendition of their 2019 single “Land Of The Free.” The reimagined song includes lyrics that reference Floyd’s tragic murder.

“How many killings must one-man watch in his home,” frontman Brandon Flowers sings. “Eight measured minutes and 46 seconds, another boy in the bag. Another stain on the flag.”

The song’s lyrics also reference how America needs to break the cycles of police brutality and systemic racism.

“Father in heaven, help us see how to lose our hatred,” Flowers sings. “How to break these cycles and change our nature? That we may walk underneath your banner, in the land of the free.”

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The song was originally written in protest of gun violence and Donald Trump‘s proposed border wall. In a Facebook post, Flowers said some of the lyrics date back to the aftermath of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting.

“As a father, I’ll never fully comprehend what that community and those parents went through,” he writes. “But my church upbringing taught me to mourn with those that mourn and I did it the best way that I knew how. I cried for those kids and teachers. I got on my knees and I prayed for those families.”

Although the Killers’ have not released a statement regarding the “Land Of The Free” rendition, touring member Robert Loud shared his thoughts on the performance on his personal account.

“When Brandon texted me these new lyrics I cried and felt the heart he put into them,” Loud shares. “It was an honor to be a part of this. Let’s ‘break the cycle’ of racism and injustice by starting inside of each of us and those we are close to and also work to spread it out from there until it really is the land of the free. There are too many stains on the flag. #blacklivesmatter”

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The Killers’ full performance of “Land Of The Free” is available to watch below.

To show support through donations, connect with grassroots campaigns and obtain resources for allies, please refer to the links below.

Help the family of George Floyd here.
Fight for Breonna Taylor here.
Help the family of Ahmaud Arbery here.
To sign petitions for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and more, click here.
Donate to one or more community bail funds for protesters here.
Click here for more resources for protestors, including pro-bono lawyers.
Visit Movement For Black Lives for additional ways you can help the cause.
Click here to connect with leaders building grassroots campaigns.
Here are some anti-racism resources for allies who want to learn more.For other ways to donate, please head here.