Al Sharpton Says If Jussie Smollett Did Stage Attack, He Should Be Held Accountable
Oh Jussie Smollett… what happened?
That’s what many people are asking, following reports that the Empire star might have staged a homophobic, racist attack in Chicago alongside two bodybuilding brothers. The brothers were first arrested and identified as the assailants seen on camera footage (the attack itself was not captured, which was the cause for much suspicion given that Chicago is one the most surveilled cities in the world).
The brothers were later released by police after they handed over “new evidence” that “shifted the trajectory” of their investigation. Reports later emerged that Jussie paid the budding actor-models $3,500 to stage the attack. They even allegedly rehearsed it.
Now, civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton is speaking out about the situation.
“I, among many others when hearing of the report, said that the reports were horrific and that we should come with all that we can come with in law enforcement to find out what happened and the guilty should suffer the maximum,” Al said Sunday night on his show PoliticsNation on MSNBC. “I still maintain that. And if it is that Smollett and these gentlemen did in some way perpetuate something that is not true, they ought to face accountability to the maximum.”
When news of the Jan. 29 attack against Jussie broke, Al immediately spoke out to say he was “outraged,” telling to TMZ last month:
“For Jussie, who’s not only a superb actor and singer but an activist who has fought against homophobia and racism and sexism, to be a victim is something that is totally unacceptable. I challenge the Chicago law enforcement to do all within their power to find out those that are guilty and they should face the maximum penalty of law.”
Jussie is still maintaining that two strangers shouted racist and anti-gay slurs and “This is MAGA country!” before dousing him in a “chemical substance,” likely bleach, and throwing a noose around his neck.