Jussie Smollett has maintained his innocence in an Instagram Live video ahead of an appearance in court.
The former Empire star is involved in an ongoing criminal case with the city of Chicago, having been accused of staging a hate crime against himself early last year.
The Instagram interview with writer and activist Marc Lamont Hill followed a show of support from civil rights activist Angela Davis.
Davis recently released an open letter in solidarity with Smollett, which included signatures from actors Danny Glover and LisaGay Hamilton.
She also was interview on Instagram by Hill, alongside Chicago’s Black Lives Matter co-founder Aislynn Pulley.
“I don’t think that we have extricated ourselves from all of the influences of law and order rhetoric even though so many of us are involved in campaigns against the police,” said Davis. “The police still remains this major arbiter of what is right and wrong.”
“How do we liberate ourselves from the ideological hold of the police?”
Smollett himself described the situation as “beyond frustrating”, and revealed that “sometimes I wake up and the morning and I am so angry, but other times… I can see the silver lining”.
The city of Chicago have requested that the FBI hand over records of their own probe into the Smollett case.
Smollett’s lawyers have also filed a motion against his indictment, which will be reviewed by a judge later today (10 September).
Faced with Hill’s suggestion that “there’s a chance this could all be over tomorrow”, Smollett was doubtful.
“If I’m being completely honest, no I don’t think that,” he said. They won’t let this go. You know what I’m saying? They won’t let this go. It doesn’t matter…”
“The sad part is that there is an example being made of someone who did not do what they’re being accused of.”
