Published 19:17 IST, June 8th 2020
No way to make sense of what is senseless: Johnny Depp on George Floyd's killing
Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp has spoken out against the custodial death of George Floyd in the US, terming his killing as "grotesque" and "senseless".
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Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp has spoken out against the custodial death of George Floyd in the US, terming his killing as "grotesque" and "senseless".
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Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, died on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes in an encounter caught on video. The officer, Derek Chauvin has been charged with murder and manslaughter
The 56-year-old actor took to social media to share a speech by his friend, rapper-activist Killer Mike about racism.
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"As the majority of American people, our global community and our extended family of humans helplessly watched a man die on television. I too, was exposed to the atrocity of blatant barbarism, ruthless cruelty and unmitigated lack of humanity. A handcuffed man, pleading for his life lay prone with the full weight of a man sworn to defend the peace on his neck," Depp wrote.
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The actor recalled how Floyd repeatedly pleaded for his life from the officer, as he addressed the larger issues of police brutality and systemic racism.
"Justice, I desperately hope, will address the horror of Officer Chauvin's nonchalance and indifference to his participation in the agony, suffering and ultimately the murder of our fellow traveler George Floyd in a grotesque illustration of the abuse of power!"
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"There is no way to make sense of what is senseless. There is no way to restore a life that has been taken. Just as there is no way to un-break a heart that is broken," he added.
Depp said societal changes were overdue and it was about time that they finally happen.
"What we can do is make a vow to ourselves that racism and the ignorance inherent in such judgmental ugliness that it gives birth to, is NO LONGER AN OPTION!!! THERE MUST BE A CHANGE!!! DEMAND IT!" he added.
Image credit: AP
19:17 IST, June 8th 2020