Beyonce Addresses Alton Sterling, Philando Castile Killings: ‘We Don’t Need Sympathy’

Beyonce has added her voice to the chorus of people demanding justice in the wake of the shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

Sterling was killed by police officers in Baton Rouge, LA after the officers approached him while he was selling CDs. Castile was shot by an officer in Falcon Heights, Minn. after he reached to show the officer his identification. His girlfriend livestreamed the immediate aftermath on Facebook. He subsequently died from the shooting.

Beyonce is calling for solidarity in the communities most affected by police brutality and violence while also demanding that those in power--and those who don't feel they are affected--address this ongoing problem. On the star's official website, there is an official statement posted under the title "Freedom."

"We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities," it reads. "It is up to take a stand and demand that they 'stop killing us.'"

"We don't need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives. We're going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished."

"While we pray for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, we will also pray for an end to this plague of injustice in our communities."

Her site also adds: "We all have the power to channel our anger and frustration into action. We must use our voices to contact the politicians and legislators in our districts and demand social and judicial changes."

"Freedom" is the name of a song on Beyonce's critically-acclaimed album Lemonade. She performed the track alongside Kendrick Lamar as the opening performance of this year's BET Awards.

You can check out Beyonce's full statement HERE.