John Cusack said he was attacked by Chicago police while filming the protests taking place in response to the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer pinned him to the ground with a knee on his neck.
On Saturday, the actor, 53, shared a video from the alleged incident on Twitter, writing, “Cops didn’t like me filming the burning car so they came at me with batons. Hitting my bike. Ahhm here’s the audio.”
In the video, a person — likely a police officer — can be heard angrily telling Cusack to move along, followed by the sound of metal being slammed.
In another tweet, Cusack verified reports that police were using pepper spray on protestors, writing, “Pepper spray – is out – no tear gas that I’ve seen personally out here.”
Cops didn’t like me filming the burning car so they came at me with batons. Hitting my bike.
— John Cusack (@johncusack) May 31, 2020
Ahhm here’s the audio pic.twitter.com/tfaOoVCw5v”
Pepper spray – is out – no tear gas that I’ve seen personally out here @studentactivism: Reporter teargassed while holding his press pass up, Chicago. https://t.co/xuWwEq258O”
— John Cusack (@johncusack) May 31, 2020
Cusack later clarified to one of his followers that the Chicago authorities “didn’t assault me.”
“Keep it in perspective and I should not be the headline or the story important thing is the anger & pain out there& how hair trigger it feels/ I’m of no importance I was just a witness to what was happening in Chicago – didn’t see the press out at all,” he wrote.
The Love & Mercy actor went on to say that he’s hopeful the protests indicate the end of Donald Trump’s presidency.
“Would be very surprised if this is a one or two day event / this may well be the beginning of end of trump loathsome era – thank god,” he wrote. “Feels like many streams of outrage coming to a head- a wave peaking -Chicago scene was about getting to trump tower most of day.”
And the Chicago PD assaulted him.
— PrezVonClownstick (@PrezFuckface) May 31, 2020
John is a BADASS! And a true man of the people. And a hell of an actor!
They didn’t assault me- keep it in perspective and I should not be the headline or the story important thing is the anger & pain out there& how hair trigger it feels/
— John Cusack (@johncusack) May 31, 2020
I’m of no importance
I was just a witness to what was happening in Chicsgo – didn’t see the press out at all
Would be very surprised if this is a one or two day event / this may well be the beginning of end of trump loathsome era – thank god -feels like many streams of outrage coming to a head- a wave peaking -Chicsgo scene was about getting to trump tower most of day
— John Cusack (@johncusack) May 31, 2020
More tweets:
John, how's the bike? Any scratches? https://t.co/sbvEv3COGD pic.twitter.com/3yRl0uOoHi
— Heartis Atwitta (@heartisatwitta) May 31, 2020
I saw his reply of course, and replied in kind. The video I saw seemed like he was assaulted. But if he says he wasn't, of course I take his word for it.
— PrezVonClownstick (@PrezFuckface) May 31, 2020
I can't edit that tweet on here (right? Not a pro-Twitterer) or I would. And I don't believe in deleting my mistakes.
And we all appreciate what you are doing. Sure sounded like they connected with your bike a couple times, that would be assault for anyone else.
— PrezVonClownstick (@PrezFuckface) May 31, 2020
But, I will 100% take your word for it. Thanks for being you John. I'm gonna cheer myself up by watching Say Anything… now.
Outrage over racial inequality and police brutality began earlier this week when footage of Floyd surfaced online.
The Minneapolis police officer in the video — identified as Derek Chauvin — has since been fired and was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter on Friday.
However, protests have carried on to major U.S cities, where curfews have been implemented as a means to stop the encounters between demonstrators and police, some of which have turned violent.
In Chicago, downtown businesses were damaged on Saturday during protests. Windows of many convenience stores, fast-food chains, and clothing stores were knocked out, according to ABC 7.
Multiple demonstrators were also arrested by officers with batons, The Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot imposed a curfew starting on Saturday night from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. local time, effective immediately and “until further notice.”
