YouTube has paused its plans for a virtual 2020 graduation celebration out of respect for George Floyd‘s memorial.
The event – called Dear Class of 2020 – was originally scheduled for Saturday June 6th, but will now take place Sunday (June 7) at noon Pacific Time so as not to conflict with Floyd’s tribute.
It should be an exciting affair, with appearances planned from Beyonce and BTS.
Pushed back: A YouTube graduation event planning to feature Beyonce, BTS, Barack Obama and many more has been postponed out of respect for George Floyd’s memorial
Dear Class Of 2020 will also feature an A-list roster of speakers like President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Katy Perry, Megan Thee Stallion and Kacey Musgraves.
Lizzo will treat fans to a performance with the New York Philharmonic.
An impressive cover of U2’s Beautiful Day produced by Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas features Leon Bridges, Camila Cabello, Noah Cyrus, Ty Dolla $ign, Cynthia Erivo, Khalid, Tove Lo, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and Ben Platt.
And Madison Calley, Misty Copeland, Naya Lovell, Janelle Monáe, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kelly Rowland, and Yara Shahidi will all get together a performance of the Maya Angelou poem Still I Rise.
Respect: The event was originally scheduled for Saturday June 6th, but will now take place Sunday (June 7) at noon Pacific Time so as not to conflict with Floyd’s tribute
K-pop princes: The event, called Dear Class Of 2020, was also set to showcase BTS
More guest appearances include: J.J. Abrams, Ray Allen, La La Anthony, Jack Black,, Ian Book, Tom Brady, Erika Brown, Jenna Bush Hager, Andy Cohen, Stephen Colbert, Lana Condor, Cindy Crawford & Kaia Gerber, Joseph Gordon Levitt and DJ D-Nice.
Also there will be Snoop Dogg & Martha Stewart, Billie Eilish, Missy Elliott, Bill & Melinda Gates, Evan Goldberg, Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Hamill, Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson, Michael B. Jordan, Colin Jost, poet Rupi Kaur, Courtney Kemp, Keegan Michael Key and Alicia Keys.
Rounding out the massive guest list: Jimmy Kimmel, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Lovato, Peyton Manning, Camila Mendes, Shawn Mendes, Hasan Minhaj, Natalie Morales, John Mulaney, Katelyn Ohashi, Chris Pine, Antoni Porowski, Billy Porter, Seth Rogen, Phoebe Robinson, Michael Strahan, Taylor Swift, Daisy Ridley, Justin Timberlake, Gabrielle Union & Dwayne Wade, Kerry Washington, Russell Westbrook, Russell Wilson & Ciara, the cast of HBO’s Euphoria, the cast of Schitt’s Creek and the cast of The Simpsons.
Lots of talent: It will also feature an A-list roster of speakers like President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Katy Perry, Megan Thee Stallion and Kacey Musgraves
Toon town: The cast of The Simpsons will be making an appearance
Protests across the US began less than a week ago when Floyd, a 46-year-old security guard, died after police officer Derek Chauvin – who has since been fired and charged in the incident – kneeled on the back of his neck, rendering him unable to breathe in a horrifying incident that was caught on camera.
In the incident, arresting officers said Floyd matched the description of a forgery suspect, and subsequently resisted them when they took him into custody.
In an accompanying clip, Chauvin was seen pinning his knee into the back of Floyd’s neck as Floyd pleaded with him to relent.
Floyd later died in police custody in a nearby hospital and Chauvin currently faces charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Tumult: Protests across the US began less than a week ago when Floyd, a 46-year-old security guard, died after police officer Derek Chauvin – who has since been fired and charged in the incident – kneeled on the back of his neck, rendering him unable to breathe in a horrifying incident that was caught on camera
