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Jamie Foxx, Stephen Jackson Host Rally In Minneapolis For George Floyd

Published

4 years ago

May 29, 2020

Jamie Foxx And Stephen Jackson Attend Rally in Minneapolis Following The Death Of George Floyd

Jamie Foxx is lending his support to protesters following the death of George Floyd. On Friday, the Academy Award-winning actor, 52, attended a social justice rally for Floyd held at Minneapolis City Hall.

“This is the toughest time when things like this happen,” Foxx said at a press conference alongside retired NBA player Stephen Jackson, who grew up with Floyd and has been vocal about the injustice surrounding his death. “All I wanted to do was let you know that we’re not afraid to stand…we’re not afraid of the moment.”

Speaking of the cycle of police brutality against people of color, Foxx said that it “overcomplicates everything” black parents tell their children about “how to function in life.”

“Even the things that we’ve taught them don’t seem to work,” he continued, asking how is it that incidents with cops can escalate “to something like we have today.”

Foxx Calls For Justice For George Floyd

“All we’re trying to do is ask questions of why,” he continued, making the comparison between Dylann Roof, the white supremacist who fatally shot nine members of a historically black church in 2015, and was arrested without incident, with what happened with Floyd, who was arrested after police received reports of forgery.

“I’m not a celebrity. I’m from Terrell, Texas. These are my brothers. This means everything because at the end of the day, when we see you guys out there on the frontline, we want to let you know that you’ve got support,” Foxx continued. “God bless George and his family.”

After speaking, Foxx also shared a lengthy video on Instagram of others speaking at the peaceful rally.

Protests Escalate In Minneapolis

But while the rally inside City Hall was peaceful outside on the streets in downtown Minneapolis was a different story. Protesters took to the streets voicing their frustration for their third day in a row. Thursday evening protestors set fire to the 3rd Precinct.

Governor Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has now called in the National Guard and placed a curfew on the city throughout the weekend.

Meanwhile Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Friday afternoon.