The attack on “Empire” star Jussie Smollett has caused concern and speculation all over the internet. Lee Daniels, the co-creator of “Empire,” posted a statement on Instagram in regard to the case.
“It’s taken me a minute to come to social media about this because Jussie, you are my song. You didn’t deserve, nor anybody deserves, to have a noose put around your neck; to have bleach thrown on you, [you] are better than that. We are better than that. America is better than that. It starts at home. We have to love each other regardless of what sexual orientation we are because it shows we united, on a united front.” wrote Daniels
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtOrBBmH6GK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Some have speculated about the validity of the attack based on the lack of footage. However; the Chicago Police Department have released a statement sharing that they have surveillance camera footage that may show persons of interest in this case.
The tweet posted on Jan. 30, 2019, can be viewed below.
CASE UPDATE: Hours ago #ChicagoPolice detectives located a surveillance camera that shows potential persons of interest wanted for questioning in reference to the assault & battery of Empire actor. A community alert w/ photos is being constructed and will be disseminated shortly. pic.twitter.com/hu3HaPN5h1
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 30, 2019
The tweet below shows the image that the police have discovered.
Photos of people of interest who were in area of the alleged assault & battery of Empire cast member. While video does not capture an encounter, detectives are taking this development seriously & wish to question individuals as more cameras are being reviewed pic.twitter.com/xJDDygtocr
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 31, 2019
The swell of support from the world has been enormous. Former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted his response to the event: “What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country. We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie.”
Steve Harvey also used Instagram to show his support: “I just heard about the horrible incident that just happened with our little brother Jussie Smollett. I’ve listened to a lot of people’s words and I don’t have all the eloquent stuff to say. I just want to say this to little brother Jussie that as a Black man in this country that I’m down with you and I know a lot of brothers that’s down with you. This ain’t about sexual preference or nothing. This is about coming to the aid of another brother that has tasted the brutality of hatred, racism and bigotry. So we down with you Jussie Smollett. However you want to handle this, we down with you. This is not a call for violence or anything, so don’t misunderstand it. I just don’t have all the words everybody else get, but we down with you shoulder. We just want you to know that your OG is down with you.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtP8l70njTY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
