John Boyega hits out at racism online after the death of a black man in the US
Written by News on 29/05/2020
John Boyega has hit out at racist behaviour online following the death of a black man killed in an incident involving a white police officer in the US.
The Star Wars actor first posted “I really f****** hate racists” after news of George Floyd‘s death made headlines.
Mr Floyd, 46, died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Monday, after police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on his neck as he was handcuffed for at least eight minutes, while arresting him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 note in a shop.
In a separate post, Boyega posted #blacklivesmatter, saying it seemed to “be a never ending cycle” and that “even in the face of death this man was given zero empathy”.
The British star was praised for speaking out but also received some criticism for his language online, as well as comments from some accusing him of being discriminatory towards white people.
He followed up the posts in an Instagram Live video, saying: “I said what I said.”
The star said he is “not the guy to be rattled” and that “first of all, you’re going to respect black people online”.
He continued: “Any racist s***, that’s straight up, block. It’s fine. It’s ready. I don’t need you on my page.
“And if you’re a fan of me, and you support my work, and you’re racist and you’re arguing with what I was saying: f*** off, you f****** d***heads. Yeah. Straight up like that. That’s how it’s gonna go.”
Boyega said he is “not Hollywood” and never moved to Los Angeles. “I’m from London. I’m from here. We have different f****** rules. We’re real.”
In another tweet, Boyega said his mother had praised him in response to his comments.
In the US, protests over Mr Floyd’s death have spread to Los Angeles, and Donald Trump has said the FBI is investigating.
In widely circulated mobile phone footage, Mr Floyd, who was unarmed, can be heard saying he could not breathe, before paramedics are seen lifting him on to a stretcher and into an ambulance.
He was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police firing tear gas for a second night in Minneapolis on Wednesday, in an outpouring of rage over the killing.
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(c) Sky News 2020: John Boyega hits out at racism online after the death of a black man in the US
