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Pharrell
Pharrell performing at Roots Picnic 2017. Photos by Averie Cole for Okayplayer
Photo Credit: Averie Cole for Okayplayer

'That's What This Flag Is For': Pharrell Takes A Knee During Charlottesville Concert

A number of artists took a knee this weekend in support of Colin Kaepernick and to protest police brutality and institutionalized racism.

During the final moments of his performance in Charlottesville, Virginia, Pharrell took a knee and said the following to the audience: "If I want to get on my knees right now for the people of my city, for the people of my state, that's what this flag is for."

Pharrell's performance was a part of a Charlottesville benefit concert put together by Dave Matthews, which also included performances from The Roots, Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, and others. The event follows the violence that took place in the city during the Unite the Right rally that resulted in counter-protester Heather Heyer being killed.

READ: J. Cole Speaks On #TakeAKnee, Colin Kaepernick Protest

Along with Pharrell, Stevie Wonder also took a knee during his performance at the Global Citizen Festival at Central Park in New York City.

"Tonight, I"m taking a knee for America," Wonder said. "But not just one knee, I'm taking both knees. Both knees and pray for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe."

"We must take care of each other, and this planet," he added. "If we don't, we could lose the ultimate video game of life."