Riverdale star Cole Sprouse has revealed he was arrested while taking part in a Black Lives Matter protest.
The actor took to Instagram tonight (June 1) to share a heartfelt message with his followers, detailing how he was detained by police while standing in solidarity with other peaceful protestors, as were many others.
“A group of peaceful protesters, myself included, were arrested yesterday in Santa Monica,” he began the post. “So before the voracious horde of media sensationalism decides to somehow turn it about me, there’s a clear need to speak about the circumstances: Black Lives Matter. Peace, riots, looting, are an absolutely legitimate form of protest.
“The media is by nature only going to show the most sensational, which only proves a long standing racist agenda. I was detained when standing in solidarity, as were many of the final vanguard within Santa Monica.”
Sprouse explained that he and other protestors were given the option to leave, and would be arrested if they didn’t retreat.
“When many did turn to leave, we found another line of police officers blocking our route, at which point, they started zip tying us.”
He continued: “It needs to be stated that as a straight white man, and a public figure, the institutional consequences of my detainment are nothing in comparison to others within the movement.
“This is ABSOLUTELY not a narrative about me, and I hope the media doesn’t make it such. This is, and will be, a time about standing ground near others as a situation escalates, providing educated support, demonstrating and doing the right thing.”
Sprouse finished the message by pleading on fans and people in his position to stand with the Black Lives Matter movement.
“This is precisely the time to contemplate what it means to stand as an ally. I hope others in my position do as well.”
