NEW YORK, United States — Metallica and Mariah Carey on
Saturday led an A-list of musicians, and President
Joe Biden made a surprise
video appearance, as the Global Citizen Festival sought to mobilize action
against poverty and climate change.
اضافة اعلان
Marking its 10th year, the six-hour festival
brought thousands to New York's Central Park and featured a sister show in Ghana's
capital Accra, where performers included American R&B great Usher and
British grime icon Stormzy.
Global Citizen awards tickets to fans in
exchange for their commitment to take action to eradicate extreme poverty —
such as contacting elected representatives to encourage foreign aid — and
coincides with the annual
UN General Assembly in hopes of raising pressure on
world leaders.
Singer Mariah Carey performs during the Global Citizen Festival at Central Park in New York on September 24, 2022.
"We're inspired and grateful for all
the work you've done and want you to know — your fight is our fight,"
First Lady
Jill Biden said in a video appearance next to her husband.
President Biden — along with top Senate and
House Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, who both appeared in person —
highlighted a new climate package that is the most far-reaching legislation
ever in the US to spur clean energy.
But Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of
Barbados warned that action against climate change cannot come quickly enough
for islands such as hers.
"Yes, my friends, our time is running
out," she said.
Thrash metal legends Metallica got the crowd
head banging with eight songs including a version of "Nothing Else
Matters" featuring vocalist Mickey Guyton, who has been outspoken about
her experiences as one of the most prominent Black women in country music.
Guests sought to raise awareness on an array
of issues including women's rights, especially in light of major protests in
Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, who was allegedly beaten to death
after her arrest by morality police who enforce clerical rulers' dress codes on
women.
"I have seen my sisters forced to flee
abuse, oppression, and femicide globally, women like Mahsa Jina Amini,"
said Anuscheh Amir-Khalili, a refugee advocate in Berlin of Iranian descent.
"We must speak up for oppressed women.
I stand here for them," she told the crowd.
EU chief
Ursula von der Leyen, appearing on
stage, said, "We have to take care of our girls and our women. They
deserve it."
She highlighted recent pledges by Europe
including 600 million euros for food security in Africa, the Caribbean, and the
Pacific amid rising hunger in much of the world worsened by Russia's invasion
of Ukraine.
Mariah Carey was introduced by leading
ballerina
Misty Copeland, who called the singer with her famed vocal range an
inspiration, and was accompanied by a choreographed dance for her classic song
"Hero."
Other performers included Maneskin, the
new-generation Italian glam rockers who put on an energetic set, Spanish pop
star Rosalia, and the Jonas Brothers, with Nick Jonas' wife, Indian screen star
Priyanka Chopra, serving as master of ceremonies.
Read more Trending
Jordan News