Imprisoned comedian Bill Cosby has spoken out the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed African American man who died a short time after police officers were filmed pressing their knees into his neck and body for nearly nine minutes.
In a written statement released by his publicist Andrew Wyatt, Cosby cited the continued police killings of African Americans and the racially motivated slayings of Black people, including his son, Ennis.
“When I think about George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black people murdered by Racial Hatred, I could not help but think about my son, Ennis, who was also brutally murdered,” said Cosby, who is serving a three-to-10-year prison term after his 2018 conviction on charges of indecent aggravated assault.
Cosby has maintained his innocence and is hoping that a state Supreme Court review of his case will result in a new trial. Despite Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s executive order in April that allowed many seniors and those with preexisting conditions to be released on house arrest amid the coronavirus pandemic, Cosby remains jailed.
He’s also remained engaged through Wyatt on social media.
“Before Racial Hatred shot our beloved Ennis in the head and abruptly ended his life, this raging inferno of Racial Hatred stated, ‘Die Nigger’ before he pulled the trigger. I understand the pain; I understand the helplessness; and I, too, understand that NO parent has willingly filled out an application to become a member of the ‘My Child Was Murdered by Racial Hatred’ club,” Cosby wrote in the lengthy statement.
“These murders of innocent Black people will never end until the ‘establishment’ acknowledges that they are the architects of this Prison of Racism In America — they continue to teach Racial Hatred around their dinner tables; they continue to fuel Racial Hatred by portraying Black people negatively on television and movies; and they continue to enhance Racial Hatred by placing their knee on the necks of Black people, no matter their education, success or fame,” he said.
The “I Spy” and “Cosby Show” legend also railed against authorities whom he said has disrupted peaceful protesters.
“Yes, protests are meaningful and powerful when they are done in a peaceful manner,” he wrote. “But, the mayors and governors of Minneapolis, Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Birmingham, (and other cities) can’t send police officers out in tactical gear, ready and willing to inflict bodily harm, which doesn’t reflect peace nor the expectation of a peaceful protest.
“Come On People! Let’s not squander a golden opportunity — officers, remove your tactical gear, remove your guns, put on the Full Armor of GOD, and march with the people whom you have made your enemy,” Cosby said. “I will continue to pray that GOD provides the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black people murdered by Racial Hatred with wisdom, understanding, and peace during these difficult times. Please be mindful and be safe.”
Cosby ended his letter with several hashtags, including #BlackLivesMatter, #FreeBillCosby, #FarFromFinished, #GeorgeFloyd, #BreonnaTaylor, #AhmaudArbery and #EnnisCosby.
