Beyoncé and Jay Z Attend Trayvon Martin Rally in NYC

Singer and rapper have been outspoken since the controversial not-guilty verdict

By Lily Harrison Jul 21, 2013 4:30 PMTags
Beyonce, JayZiam.beyonce.com

Beyoncé and Jay Z joined a rally in New York City honoring Trayvon Martin on Saturday.

The two stood alongside activist and MSNBC host Al Sharpton, who spoke at the peaceful protest and introduced the the couple as "two of the baddest artists of all time."

"Jay Z and Beyoncé said they didn't want to speak and they didn't come for a photo op," he announced to the crowd of hundreds of thousands.

"Jay Z told me, 'I'm a father. Beyoncé is a mother.' We all feel the pain and apprehension—the laws must protect everybody, or it doesn't protect anybody. We do not come from hate, we come from love of children," Sharpton continued.

The "Grown Woman" singer went with a more demure ensemble for the event, a black sundress and conservative heels. Her rapper hubby donned a suit and white T-shirt for his public appearance.

Twitter

Both music industry heavyweights have been outspoken about their feelings on the trial. 

On July 19, Bey tweeted, "#actnow4Travyon" and attached a link asking fans to sign a petition on MoveOn.org to join the protest. 

"Trayvon Martin's most basic civil right, the right to live, was violated," she wrote on her Tumblr.

She also shared a photograph of herself, Jay and Travyon Martin's parents on her website earlier today and asked for a moment of silence at a Miami concert last week following the verdict announcement.

Meanwhile, last night at the Legends of the Summer tour with Justin Timberlake, Jay dedicated the song "Forever Young" to the slain teenager.

"This is for Trayvon, so light up your cell phones New York!" he shouted at the crowd.

Bey's sister, Solange, also spoke out publicly regarding the death of Martin.

Last week, she held a peaceful protest in Brooklyn and spoke in front of a crowd of hundreds. 

She carried a homemade sign that quoted the late human rights leader and Muslim minister Malcom X that read, "I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against. Malcolm X"

The singer took to Twitter to further vent about the trial that rocked the nation and the peaceful protest.

"Seeing & gathering with people today/tonight all for the same fight helped to restore my faith in humanity…" she said.

She added: "I am optimistic…I am sick of racism & want to do something about it."