Celisse, who collaborated with Trey Anastasio on his Ghosts of the Forests project, has released a new music video for her song “FREEDOM.” The song was originally written in July of 2016. Along with the video, Celisse also shared a lengthy statement in support of the ongoing protests against police brutality.

“I wrote the song ‘FREEDOM’ immediately after Philando Castille and Alton Sterling both lost their lives within 24 hours of one another in July of 2016,” Celisse wrote. “I, along with millions of people, watched video footage of these unarmed black men losing their lives in the most horrific ways. The truth that these unjust deaths revealed about our country, including the systemic failings of our criminal justice system, became my personal call-to-action.”

“Now, almost four years later, too little has been done, and the story remains the same,” she continued. “With the horrific and unjust killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Tony McDade weighing heavily on our hearts and minds, it is time to release ‘FREEDOM’ as a rallying cry and a call to action to stand up and fight for our freedom.”

Anastasio shared the video on his Instagram page. “So proud to be your friend, your bandmate, and your fan. Thank you,” he wrote in the post. “I can open my heart and mind, I can listen and learn, and I can vote for leaders who fight for racial equality.”

Watch “FREEDOM” and read Celisse’s full statement (as well as Anastasio’s) below.

Click here to watch the full video- https://lnk.to/eoK4hyR9I wrote the song ‘FREEDOM’ immediately after Philando…

Posted by Celisse on Friday, June 5, 2020