Chicago’s police superintendent questioned Thursday why gun violence in the city doesn’t garner the same national attention as the arrest of “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett.
At a press conference announcing the charge against Smollett of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, Chicago Superintendent Eddie Johnson stated that the families of those affected by gun crimes “deserve” the attention that Smollett’s story has received.
“Before I get started on why we’re here, you know, as I look out into the crowd I just wish that the families of gun violence in this city got this much attention,” Johnson said. “Because that’s who really deserves the amount of attention that we’re giving to this particular incident.”
{mosads}Johnson also knocked comments from pundits and several Democratic presidential candidates who had initially expressed support for Smollett after the “Empire” actor claimed last month to be the victim of a hate crime by two men yelling racist and homophobic slurs. He had also claimed that the men attempted to put a noose around his neck.
“Celebrities, news commentators and even presidential candidates weighed in on something that was choreographed by an actor,” the superintendent said Thursday.
“Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career,” Johnson added. “I’m left hanging my head and asking why. Why would anyone, especially an African American man, use the symbolism of a noose?”
The latest development in Smollett’s story has dominated cable news since Wednesday when police identified the actor as a suspect in the case.
Smollett was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, and is scheduled to attend a bond hearing later in the day.
His attorneys released a statement vowing to defend against the accusations upon the charges being filed Wednesday night.
“Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked,” said Smollett’s lawyers. “Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.”