BLM defends Jussie Smollett, says ‘we can never believe’ Chicago police
“While policing at-large is an irredeemable institution, CPD is notorious for its long and deep history of corruption, racism, and brutality.”
Loading the front page…
“While policing at-large is an irredeemable institution, CPD is notorious for its long and deep history of corruption, racism, and brutality.”
The Black Lives Matter group has declared that the outcome of the Jussie Smollett trial matters little because Chicago’s Police are a corrupt and oppressive body, stating that "we must courageously love and protect one another and always remember that POLICE LIE."
The BLM official website posted a statement about the activist group’s stance with regards to the trial of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett.
As they move in to closing arguments in the #JussieSmollettTrial, we must courageously love and protect one another and always remember that POLICE LIE. We love you Jussie! #JussieSmollett #PoliceLie #CopsLie @CoalitionJussie https://t.co/GzA5F9m652
— Melina Abdullah (@DocMellyMel)
The post was authored by the co-founder of BLM Los Angeles and Director of BLM Grassroots, Dr. Melina Abdullah. Their overarching message isn’t about the merits of the case, preemptively calling the verdict a "white supremacist charade" no matter what.
"We find ourselves, once again, being forced to put our lives and our value in the hands of judges and juries operating in a system that is designed to oppress us, while continuing to face a corrupt and violent police department, which has proven time and again to have no respect for our lives."
For context, the situation surrounding Jussie Smollett is a series of disorderly conduct charges for wasting the time of Chicago Police in investigating a highly publicized so-called hate crime attack against the actor. After weeks of work, CPD investigators narrowed down the suspects in the matter to the Osundairo brothers – a duo of "Empire" extras – who confessed to police that Smollett had them buy supplies and stage the whole ordeal.
Circumstances and evidence that one of America’s most high-profile progressive activists can’t ignore.
Smollett is accused of filing a false report of a hate crime with the police. This both weaponizes the police and makes it more difficult for the many real victims of hate crimes to be believed.
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum)
However, Black Lives Matter have decided to stick to their laurels in spite of Smollett’s situation. Their post continues:
"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. While policing at-large is an irredeemable institution, CPD is notorious for its long and deep history of corruption, racism, and brutality. From the murders of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark, to the Burge tortures, to the murder of Laquan McDonald and subsequent cover-up, to the hundreds of others killed by Chicago police over the years and the thousands who survived abuse, Chicago police consistently demonstrate that they are among the worst of the worst. Police lie and Chicago police lie especially."
Smollett’s defense argued that Abimbola Osundairo shouldn’t be believed because he was a former lover of Jussie Smollett. To that end, the former "Empire" actor himself testified the January 2019 attack wasn’t a hoax at all. Smollett at one point demanded the prosecutor cease in using the "n-word" when reading aloud texts that Jussie himself had written in a conversation.
The defense lawyers also attempted to get the proceedings declared a mistrial, to no avail.
Libby’s Desk
Commentary and must-reads from Libby’s desk, straight to your inbox.
TPM Newsletter
The Post Millennial’s top stories, delivered to your inbox.
