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President Obama features in Grammys segment calling for end to rape

 

Christopher Hooton
Sunday 08 February 2015 23:18 EST
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(The White House)

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A special message from President Obama aired during tonight's Grammys, in which he said that rape "has to stop" and called on musicians to spread the message of his It's On Us campaign.

Domestic violence survivor Brooke Axtell followed up with a powerful speech of her own, before Katy Perry took to the stage for a performance twinned with the segment.

Many people on Twitter felt that it was undermined somewhat by Chris Brown having been given a Grammy in recent years however.

"Is not okay, and it has to stop," Obama said of violence against women.

"Artists have a unique power to change minds and attitudes and get us thinking and talking about what matters. And all of us have the power to set an example.

"Join our campaign to stop this violence. Go to itsonus.org and take the pledge, and to the artists at the Grammys tonight I ask you to ask your fans to do it to.

It's on us, all of us, to create a culture where violence isn't tolerated. For survivors are supported and where all our young people, men and women can go as far as their talents and dreams will take them. Thanks."

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