Hollywood actor Cole Sprouse just revealed on Instagram that he was arrested in Santa Monica, California on Sunday, May 31, along with many other peaceful protesters who took the streets to speak out against racism and police brutality following the controversial death of a black man, George Floyd, while in police custody.
Cole shared his story on a lengthy Instagram post.
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“A group of peaceful protesters, myself included, were arrested yesterday in Santa Monica,” he began. “I was detained when standing in solidarity, as were many of the final vanguard within Santa Monica. We were given the option to leave, and were informed that if we did not retreat, we would be arrested. When many did turn to leave, we found another line of police officers blocking our route, at which point, they started zip tying us.”
“It needs to be stated that as a straight white man, and a public figure, the institutional consequences of my detainment are nothing in comparison to others within the movement. This is ABSOLUTELY not a narrative about me, and I hope the media doesn’t make it such. This is, and will be, a time about standing ground near others as a situation escalates, providing educated support, demonstrating and doing the right thing,” he continued.
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Cole added that he will no longer speak out on the subject, citing three reasons. “I’m (1) not well versed enough to do so, (2) not the subject of the movement, and (3) uninterested in drawing attention away from the leaders of the #BLM movement I will be, again, posting the link in my story to a comprehensive document for donations and support,” he shared.
George passed away last week after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The issue has since sparked country-wide riots and protests in the United States in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
(ALSO READ: Here’s the reason behind Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart’s reported break-up)
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