After finishing their halftime Super Bowl routine, Beyoncé's dancers held up a sign for cameras paying homage to Mario Woods, a black man who was controversially shot 15 times by San Francisco police officers.Fifty miles from where Woods was shot, the dancers raised their fists in a way that recalled the Black Panthers, who were founded across the bay in Oakland in 1966. The dancers also appeared to wear Black Panther inspired clothing.Beyonce's dancers paid tribute to #MarioWoods, black man killed by San Francisco police. #SB50 #BlackLives pic.twitter.com/m2Pl9i5qKL
— Jamilah King (@jamilahking) February 8, 2016
On December 2, Woods was cornered by five police officers after stabbing a man. The incident has garnered attention from activists who have labeled it an abuse of power by the SFPD. Local NAACP chapter president Amos Brown said that the act "happened because of a culture of neglect when it comes to black folks. That's what's coming home to haunt us." Perhaps most chillingly, Woods' last words were reportedly, "you better squeeze that motherfucker and kill me."Justice for Mario Woods Coalition protesters have showed up to protest several Super Bowl events in the Bay Area during the week. San Francisco mayor Ed Lee has also not escaped scrutiny as a result of the incident. Recently, he called for a federal investigation into the killing.The man who Woods stabbed has even come out and expressed sympathy for Woods' family, saying, "Ms. Woods, my heart goes out to you," adding that he would even like to meet her at some point.Look at how glorious this picture is of Queen Beyonce and her backup dancers. — Miriti Murungi (@NutmegRadio)February 8, 2016