Nickelodeon stopped its programming Monday evening for 8 minutes and 46 seconds while airing a black screen with a message that said “I can’t breathe” in an attempt to bring awareness to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis a week before.

Floyd, 46, was a black man who died after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd lay face down and was handcuffed.

Floyd cried “I can’t breathe” several times during the ordeal. Protests have been on full display — some turning to riots and others deadly — throughout the nation in the wake of Floyd’s untimely demise.

Chauvin was subsequently fired and is facing third-degree homicide charges.

During the blackout, the network played a countdown with the words “I can’t breathe” slowly flashing, accompanied by breathing audio.

Many social media users Tuesday posted black screens as “photos” with captions that read “I can’t breathe” and “Black Lives Matter.”

Prior to the station’s blackout, Nickelodeon delivered another statement.

we are all part of the change #blacklivesmatter✊?✊?✊?✊?✊? pic.twitter.com/Y3Fzvob54X

— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) June 1, 2020

“You have the right to a world that is peaceful. You have the right to be treated with equality, regardless of the color of your skin,” a message read. “You have the right to be protected from harm, injustice and hatred. You have the right to an education that prepares you to run the world. You have the right to your opinions and feelings, even if others don’t agree with them.”

Viewers were also given information about Color of Change, telling them to text ‘DEMANDS’ to 55156 to “call on public officials across the country to take real action.”

Nickelodeon’s messages were met with mixed reviews:

Because racism is taught at an early age that is why @Nickelodeon have to push a political statement so the next generation will not follow the same mistakes as we were taught from our parents and grandparents hatred has to be eliminated and love has to prevail

— MS. Brittany (@brittanyraven_) June 3, 2020

The left have infiltrated every facet of society. I don’t recognize our country anymore.

Nickelodeon pauses programming for 'I can't breathe' message, draws mixed reaction | Fox News https://t.co/nRU2CMNDsH

— Lorijoe (@Lorijoe5) June 3, 2020

My respect for ⁦@Nickelodeon⁩ just went?? ?. ⁦@Disney⁩ , you wanna say anything, buddy? https://t.co/YHNe3rv0RH

— theatrek1d (@charlsieh22) June 3, 2020

@Nickelodeon #BlackLivesMattter #BlackOutTuesday #BlackLivesMatter We dont watch your channel in fact we dont have cable tv I control what my kids watch nevertheless nobody has a right to forcefully show, teach anything to my child or any child not your call

— DsturbdPryncess? (@DsturbdPryncess) June 3, 2020

There are white parents who are pissed at Nickelodeon for airing a commercial that “scared their children”, and then there are white parents like Aubrey’s who are using this time to teach their kids about why it’s wrong and how to use their voices to help. THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT https://t.co/bniQYB6Vgk

— tara ashley ❁ (@darling_tara_) June 3, 2020

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