Azealia Banks took to Twitter to slam Iggy Azalea for staying quiet after a grand jury voted not to indict a New York City police officer in the death of an unarmed black man.
On Wednesday, a Staten Island grand jury decided to end the criminal case against Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who put local man Eric Garner into a chokehold during a July arrest, ultimately leading to Garner's death. After the grand jury announcement, protestors took to the streets of Manhattan to decry the decision, and others turned to social media to express their dismay.
Banks used Twitter to call out Azalea for not discussing the subject. After tweeting "#EricGarner," the performer went on to say how she wants to help initiate change and how the media is partly to blame; then she took aim at the Australian rapper.
its funny to see people Like Igloo Australia silent when these things happen... Black Culture is cool, but black issues sure aren't huh?
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
If you're down to ride with us bitch you gotta RIDE ALL THE WAY
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
Don't just be down to ride Black Dick..... If you with us you WITH US!!!!
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
LOL... IM PETTY, but its so true, ugh, that wannabe black girl shit makes me wanna throw a jar of my piss at her LMFAOOOO.
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
Like, fill a jar with piss and mayo and eggs and just dump that shit on that bitch's head LMFAOOOOOOO
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
"EVERYBODY WANNA BE BLACK, BUT DON'T NOBODY WANNA BE BLACK" - PAUL MOONEY
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
And the media needs to STOP trying to move igloo in on what Nicki has established.
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
Nicki is a hard-working rap-BEAST. stop trying to degrade and BELITTLE Our culture with this fucking kkk iggy shit.
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
Azalea responded later, saying she had been in rehearsals.
👀 I see all hell broke loose while I was at rehearsals today.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 4, 2014
we've all read the script 49584068408540 billion times now, find a new game plan.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 4, 2014
She tweeted about "other news that actually relates to me," promoting her upcoming tour with Nick Jonas. Then she posted a series of tweets encouraging her followers to protest for change and donate to causes that help local communities.
Theres more to sparking a change than trolling on social media. World issues shouldnt be used as a poor excuse to promote fan battles.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 4, 2014
Make sure you do something to let YOUR government know how you feel when something is unjust., not JUST your followers on twitter...
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 4, 2014
Make sure you sign petitions, hit the streets and protest or donate to groups helping to support and rebuild the community too.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 4, 2014
HERE ARE SOME ACTUAL PRODUCTIVE WAYS YOU CAN HELPhttp://t.co/zi5SqDQsTc
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 4, 2014
Also try not to judge anothers support or 'lack there of' solely on if they have ranted on twitter about it, thats not right or helpful.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 4, 2014
The world is too hung up on what is or isnt said on twitter. theres an actual world out there and multiple ways you can promote change.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 4, 2014
CLEARLY your CONCERN is finding any reason to promote shade, trolling, fan fights and memes. I know you guys by now, you don't fool me.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 4, 2014
Numerous celebrities spoke out after the grand jury decision Monday night including Spike Lee -- who marched with protesters in Manhattan -- Chris Rock, Kerry Washington, Aaron Paul, George Lopez, Diddy and Jon Stewart.