Jamie Foxx is currently in Minneapolis to join the social justice advocates in the Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd.
The 52-year-old Oscar-winning actor joined former NBA player Stephen Jackson at a press conference on Friday (May 29) at Minneapolis’ City Hall.
Jackson was a friend of Floyd, who was killed earlier this week while being arrested by cops.
“I’m here because they’re not fixing to demean the character of George Floyd, my ‘Twin,’” Jackson said during the press conference. “A lot of times when police do things that they know are wrong, the first they do is try to cover it up and bring up your background to make it seem like (what) that they did was worth it. When was murder ever worth it? But if it’s a black man, it’s approved. You can’t tell me when that man had his knee on my brother’s neck, taking his life away with his hand in his pocket that that smirk on his face didn’t say I’m protected.”
Jamie appeared at the press conference to show support and speak to the media.
“We’re not afraid to stand. We’re not afraid of the moment. And I think what you saw on television, to watch this man plead for his life… as I sit with my two daughters, my nephews who had just come from the grocery store, what it does it overcomplicates everything as a black man trying to tell his son or his daughter how to function in life,” Jamie said. “Even the things that we taught them don’t seem to work.”
“All I wanted to do today was let you know that I’m not a celebrity. I’m from Texas. These are my brothers. This means everything because at the end of the day, when we see you guys out here on the frontline, we want to let you know you got support,” he added.
During the press conference, it was announced that the police officer who kneeled on Floyd‘s neck has been charged with murder.
