Photo Credit: David Livingston/Getty Images
Three days after Jussie Smollett’s attack, the Smollett family has released a statement regarding the actor’s vicious attack in Chicago.
Younger sister Jurnee Smollett Bell used Instagram to break the family’s silence and thank the public, “village,” and the Man Upstairs for “their prayers and the huge amount of love he has received.”
She went on to say, “We are thankful to our village for your immense support during this trying time. We are so grateful that God saw him through this cowardly attack alive. “
After sharing her own statement, she wrote her family’s words below.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, our beloved son and brother, Jussie, was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack. We want to be clear, this was a racial and homophobic hate crime. Jussie has told the police everything from the very beginning. His story has never changed, and we are hopeful they will find these men and bring them to justice. Our family thanks everyone for their prayers and the huge amount of love he has received. We are thankful to our village for your immense support during this trying time. We are so grateful that God saw him through this cowardly attack alive. Jussie is a warrior whose light cannot be dimmed. We want people to understand these targeted hate crimes are happening to our sisters, brothers and our gender non-conforming siblings, many who reside within the intersection of multiple identities, on a monthly, weekly, and sometimes even daily basis all across our country.
Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers continue to go out to Jussie and the entire Smollett family.
Read the full statement below.