Black Lives Matter came out in support of Jussie Smollett shortly before the actor was found guilty Thursday of lying to police as part of a hate crime hoax.
THE QUOTE
On Wednesday, during closing arguments in the trial, BLM published a statement by BLM Los Angeles leader Melina Abdullah, a cofounder of BLM Grassroots, saying in part, “We can never believe police … over Jussie Smollett, a Black man …”
Abdullah also said the American justice system is “designed to oppress us” and police are “corrupt and violent” and “have no respect for our lives.”
THE UPDATE
After the verdict was announced late Thursday, BLM Los Angeles leader Melina Abdullah told TMZ that his stance hasn’t changed.
- BLM has yet to comment.
