NEW YORK — John Mellencamp took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement after performing a political ballad on the “Late Show With Stephen Colbert" earlier this week.
The musician performed his song "Easy Target" to which was originally released on the eve of President Trump's inauguration in January 2017.
The song addresses racial inequality and Mellencamp references the Black Lives Matter movement with his lyrics such as:
"So Black Lives Matter, who we tryin' to kid. Here's an easy target. Don't matter, never did."
"All of us are created equal - equally beneath me and you."
At the end of his performance, Mellencamp knelt and lifted his right fist into the air.
READ | If players take a knee during the Super Bowl, NBC will show it
The song comes from Mellencamp’s album “Sad Clowns & Hillbillies,” which came out late last year.
You can watch his performance below.
The movement was started by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick last season. He took a knee during the National Anthem to silently protest racial inequality and treatment of black Americans, particularly by police.
READ | President Trump retweets endorsement for NFL boycott as players protest
The protests prompted President Donald Trump to tweet that NFL owner should "fire or suspend" players that "disrespect" the "flag & country."
“Taking the knee started purely and simply as a protest of racial and social injustice,” Mellencamp told The Associated Press. “Sadly it was politicized by the current administration. The song is simple and the protest is pure.”
MORE TOP STORIES | Deaths of couple found dead, locked in embrace in Madison County field, ruled murder-suicide | IMPD gang unit arrests four on firearm, drug charges | Indiana mom admits to putting hand over 2-year-old son's mouth for 45 minutes, court records show | Plainfield woman, 37, dies just three days after being diagnosed with the flu | Police say they'd have fewer calls to McDonald's in downtown Indy if lobby was locked overnight
Top Trending Videos
