Chicago Police Addresses Jussie Smollett Arrest

Brut America

“I’m left hanging my head and asking why” — listen as Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson addresses the dramatic turn of events in the Jussie Smollett case.

Transcript

00:00How can an individual who's been embraced by the city of Chicago

00:04Turn around and slap everyone in this city in the face by making these false chalk claims

00:22This announcement today

00:25Recognizes that Empire actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of

00:31racism to promote his career

00:34I'm left hanging my head and asking why I come to you not only as the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department

00:42But also as a black man who spent his entire life living in the city of Chicago. I

00:48Know the racial divide that exists here. I

00:52Know how hard it's been for our city and our nation to come together

00:56And I also know the disparities and I know the history

01:00Why would anyone especially an african-american man use the symbolism of a noose to make false?

01:08accusations

01:10How could someone look at the hatred and suffering

01:14Associated with that symbol and see an opportunity to manipulate that symbol to further his own

01:21public profile

01:22bogus police reports

01:25cause real harm

01:27they do harm to every legitimate victim who's in need of support by police and

01:33Investigators as well as the citizens of this city

01:36We do not

01:38Know will we ever tolerate hate in our city?

01:41Whether that hate is based on an individual sexual orientation race or anything else

01:48So I'm offended by what's happened, and I'm also angry. I

01:53Love the city of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department warts and all

01:59But this publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn't earn and certainly didn't deserve

Category

Transcript

Recommended