A group of US National Guardsmen took a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement after an impassioned plea for support from actor/singer Keke Palmer at a protest in Los Angeles.
The daytime talk show host's stirring speech was caught on camera by NBC journalist Gadi Schwartz, in a clip which began with Palmer urging the soldiers: "We need you, so march with us".
"You have to pay attention about what's going on, or else - we have a president who's trying to incite a race war," Palmer said, referring to Donald Trump's threats of violence against people protesting the alleged murder of George Floyd by police officers.
"Our borders are closed, we can't leave. We have people here that need your help," she continued.
"This is when y'all stand together with the community, with society, to stop the governmental oppression. Period. We need you, so march with us."
"I agree with you," one guardsman replied, while some of the others nodded.
"March with us," Palmer urged the group.
"March beside us. Get your people. March beside us. Let the revolution be televised. March beside us and show us that you're here for us. Make history with us!"
The soldiers said they would march a short distance with the demonstrators, but they were bound to stay put and patrol the post they had been assigned.
Instead, the group collectively took a knee at the request of a nearby protester - a symbolic gesture of peaceful protest against police brutality, popularised by NFL player Colin Kaepernick.
Other demonstrators kneeled beside the soldiers while the surrounding crowd erupted with applause and cheers of "thank you, thank you".
Palmer is one of many public figures on the frontline of protests across the US and the world, demanding justice for George Floyd and other people of colour victimised by police brutality, and campaigning against systemic racism.
