BLM Defends Jussie Smollett Over Alleged Hoax Hate Crime As Jury Decides Actor's Fate
The founders of Black Lives Matter have Jussie Smollett's back, revealing they believe the actor over police when it comes to the alleged staged hate crime.
Smollett has been hit with 6 felony disorderly conduct charges for allegedly filing a false police report about being a hate crime victim. Chicago police believe he staged the attack in order to gain attention.
His fate now lies in the hands of a jury, who is on day two of deliberations.
"As abolitionists, we approach situations of injustice with love and align ourselves with our community,” Dr. Melina Abdullah, who is the director BLM Grassroots and co-founder of BLM Los Angeles, said on Tuesday.
“In an abolitionist society, this trial would not be taking place, and our communities would not have to fight and suffer to prove our worth,” she continued.
Revealing she doesn't believe law enforcement's side over Jussie's tale, Dr. Abdullah added, “In our commitment to abolition, we can never believe police, especially the Chicago Police Department (CPD) over Jussie Smollett, a Black man who has been courageously present, visible, and vocal in the struggle for Black freedom."
Smollett took the stand to defend himself earlier this week. Sticking to his story, the former Empire actor claims he was attacked by two masked men wearing MAGA hats on January 29, 2019.
According to Smollett, they beat him while shouting racial and homophobic slurs before tying a noose around his neck.
The prosecution called the actor a "liar" in closing arguments, insisting he paid the Osundario brothers $3,500 to stage the attack. Smollett had an answer for everything, including what the money was used for.
He said under oath that he wrote Abimbola Osundario the check for nutrition and training tips after Lee Daniels called him "fat."
Smollett told the jury multiple times that the attack was not a hoax. They began deliberations on Wednesday and have already continued this morning.
If found guilty, Smollett's felony counts could lead to three years behind bars, but experts think he'll get off with a fine and community service.