Call it the hippopotamus in the room. LeAnn Rimes sang at the 2014 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in NYC on Wednesday, Dec. 3, but her performance of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" is not what's causing backlash.
The country singer, 32, tweeted about the huge crowd of protesters who took to the streets of midtown Manhattan after a grand jury did not indict the officer who killed Eric Garner.
"Wow, riots are sad tonight coming out of a joyous place," Rimes tweeted about the "Shut It Down" march. "#peaceatchristmas #prayersforall."
Several followers immediately took offense to Rimes' statement. "Riots aren't sad you idiot," one person wrote. "Someone being murdered by a police officer is sad. Get off Twitter and educate yourself." Another tweeter simply wrote: "#ICantBreathe."
Rimes then followed up with another tweet clarifying her intent behind her initial tweet. "My heart is in the right place," she wrote. "I am sad for everyone tonight. Those who are wronged, those who are struggling, those who are heartbroken. My heart is with you. I wish peace for all. I apologize if my understanding of the any protests were taken in any other way. It was what was being relayed to me and reported."
Many other celebrities also weighed in on the Garner verdict late Wednesday. Watch Jon Stewart’s emotional reaction to the verdict.
Unarmed man put n2 ILLEGAL chokehold, says he can't breathe, caught on tape, later dies &no charges?! Tell us again ALL our lives matter…
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) December 3, 2014
I wouldn't feel right posting anything else before saying my heart hurts today.
— John Mayer (@JohnMayer) December 3, 2014
"I. CAN'T. BREATHE." God Damn.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 3, 2014
I can't take it anymore! It's Enough, and enough is enough! Honestly my emotions are all over the… http://t.co/QW6XmgUEDk
— Diddy (@iamdiddy) December 3, 2014
How do "crazy" cops keep getting away with this?!? He murdered that man. Stop the madness. #EricGarner #ICantBreathe
— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) December 4, 2014
How is this America? #ICantBreathe
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) December 4, 2014
SMDH….God the world is crying for your help. This really makes me sad. All I can do is pray & I plan on doing … http://t.co/hWGE9vJal4
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 3, 2014
This one was on film. http://t.co/Zm7DKL09ok
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) December 3, 2014
I'm ashamed. Mostly because I'm no longer shocked at things now-a-days. Nothing is shocking. #EricGarner
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) December 3, 2014
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