It’s been three days since Empire actor Jussie Smollett was brutally attacked while walking in Chicago.
Until now, celebrities and Smollett’s Empire family have been very outspoken about the anger that they felt surrounding what happened. But his actual family had yet to release a statement.
Until yesterday.
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Ayyeeeee we broke top 20! My song #HahaILoveYou is still moving and is now #19 on the Adult R&B @billboard charts. Thank you so much y’all. Let’s keep going. Love y’all #SumOfMyMusic #IFuxxWitYallForFuccinWithMe #IDunnoWhatThatJankyAssPicIsThatsBeingUsedBut ♂️ #YallGonGetThisMusicDammit #MusicOfSound Lyrics: JUSSIE SMOLLETT Music: @davidmichaelott
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“In the early hours of Tuesday morning, our beloved son and brother, Jussie, was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack,” the family said in a statement, according to PEOPLE.
“We want to be clear, this was a racial and homophobic hate crime. Jussie has told the police everything from the very beginning. His story has never changed, and we are hopeful they will find these men and bring them to justice,” the statement reads. “Our family thanks everyone for their prayers and the huge amount of love he has received. We are thankful to our village for your immense support during this trying time. We are so grateful that God saw him through this cowardly attack alive. Jussie is a warrior whose light cannot be dimmed.”
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Lookin at this #Chicago winter approaching… #HappyFriday love y’all. Out ✌
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The family wanted to bring awareness to the fact that crimes like this are all too common amongst minorities and non-heterosexual communities.
“We want people to understand these targeted hate crimes are happening to our sisters, brothers and our gender non-conforming siblings, many who reside within the intersection of multiple identities, on a monthly, weekly, and sometimes even daily basis all across our country,” the statement continued.
Smollett’s family also stressed the severity of what happened to their son.
“Oftentimes ending fatally, these are inhumane acts of domestic terrorism and they should be treated as such,” the statement finished. “They will continue to occur until we hold each other accountable. Make no mistake, words matter. Hateful words lead to hateful actions. Radical love is the only solution, but passivity will be our downfall. We, as a family, will continue to work for love, equity and justice until it reigns supreme in our nation and all over the world. With love & gratitude, The Smollett Family.”
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TRUTH(noun): the body of real things, events and facts; A transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality. Are you walking, speaking, living in yours? If not… start right now. Just a thought. Love y’all. #Truth ✊ : @sharonmoryosef : @apuje
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The Attack
Smollett was near his home in the Streeterville section of Chicago when he was attacked by two men wearing masks.
According to Smollett and his manager, the attackers shouted racial and homophobic slurs at Smollett before pouring an unknown substance on him and tying a rope around his neck.
Initially, police had very few leads as to who the perpetrators could have been but on Wednesday, the Chicago police released photos of people of interest in the case.
Smollett is currently at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and is in good condition.
Misconceptions
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Got cleaned up, flew to Cali for 11 hours, sang some songs, flew back to Chicago. ♂️ thanks for having us @espolontequila #Espolon #AltarTomorrow #DayOfTheDead #EspolonTequilaPartner also… #Vote ✊
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With so much news surrounding the attack, a few things have gotten misconstrued.
Some reports have claimed that the men who attacked Smollett were wearing MAGA hats, but that is not true. According to TMZ, Smollett never said the men were wearing hats with Trump’s slogan, rather they shouted “MAGA country” at him.
There have also been reports claiming that Smollett still had the rope around his neck when he arrived at the hospital. That is not the case. He
Read more: How Much Money Is Jussie Smollett Paid for ‘Empire’?
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