Jurnee Smollett, Taraji P. Henson, Indya Moore, And More Celebs Called To #FreeJussie Following The Actor's Sentencing To Jail For Falsely Reporting He Was A Victim Of A Hate Crime

    "Jussie is innocent."

    Natalie Oganesyan
    by Natalie Oganesyan

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Jurnee Smollett — most recently known for starring in Birds of Prey and Lovecraft Country — is breaking her silence on her brother Jussie's sentencing to five months in jail for falsely reporting he was a victim of a hate crime.

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    The former Empire actor was convicted of staging an anti-gay and racist attack on himself late last year, and was sentenced to 150 days in jail several days ago.

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    He will also serve a 30-month probation sentence and pay $120,106 in restitution and $25,000 in fines.

    "I am innocent, and I am not suicidal," Jussie said following his verdict. "If anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself and you must all know that."

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    Throughout the trial, and following allegations that the attack was a hoax, Jussie maintained his innocence. 

    Taking to Instagram, Jurnee shared an image of a black square with the hashtag #FreeJussie in all-caps, writing, "Black Americans are incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate of white Americans."

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    "Jussie is innocent," she continued. "And...you don't have to believe in his innocence to believe he should be free. #FreeJussie #StopLockingUpOurPeople."

    Jurnee's call to action was echoed by fellow actor and Pose star Indya Moore, who wrote, "You should not be in jail. #Free Jussie. Bless you, you got community here."

    Insecure actor Kendrick Sampson shared Indya's post to his Instagram Story, writing, "Breonna Taylor's murderer, and an endless list of other cops, can't be held accountable...but Jussie is locked in a CAGE for allegedly lying to police? How many Karens have lied to the police UNDER OATH a la Emmett Till with no accountability?"

    Kendrick Sampson / Instagram

    Taraji P. Henson — who starred alongside Jussie on Empire — also shared a message, writing, "I am not here to debate you on his innocence, but we can agree that the punishment does not fit the crime."