Cole Sprouse black lives matter protests
[Photo by Phil Roeder/Wikipedia Commons]

Cole Sprouse is using his arrest to further Black Lives Matter conversations

Cole Sprouse is using his platform to highlight the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement while explicitly putting attention on the issues at hand instead of himself.

In an Instagram post, he shares what he’s seen happening in Santa Monica and the importance of what is happening all across the United States as well as how you can help.

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Yesterday, Santa Monica saw peaceful protesters being arrested as the city put a curfew in effect from 4 PM local time through to 5:30 AM today.

Cole Sprouse notes that he and other protesters were given the option to leave or be arrested amid the protests. Some did choose to walk away, while others stayed and saw police officers blocking their routes. At that point, they began zip-tying protesters.

He highlights though that the focus of his post is not about him, it’s about the movement.

“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,” he writes.

At this particular moment, people considering themselves allies need to reflect on what they’re doing to support Black Lives Matter. Particularly with celebrities, people should be considering using their platforms for good while acknowledging the real focus of these protests.

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“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. This is precisely the time to contemplate what it means to stand as an ally. I hope others in my position do as well. I noticed that there are cameras that roll within the police cruisers during the entirety of our detainment, hope it helps,” Sprouse continues.

The actor shares that he was arrested during this protest. He says he will not be speaking on the topic any further so as not to distract from the cause. In Cole Sprouse’s Instagram stories, he shares resources for how people can help out. We’ve also included a list of resources at the bottom of this article.

“I’ll speak no more on the subject, as I’m (1) not well versed enough to do so, (2) not the subject of the movement, and (3) uninterested in drawing attention away from the leaders of the #BLM movement.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A group of peaceful protesters, myself included, were arrested yesterday in Santa Monica. 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. We were given the option to leave, and were informed that if we did not retreat, we would be arrested. When many did turn to leave, we found another line of police officers blocking our route. at which point, they started zip tying us. 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 This is precisely the time to contemplate what it means to stand as an ally. I hope others in my position do as well. I noticed that there are cameras that roll within the police cruisers during the entirety of our detainment, hope it helps. I’ll speak no more on the subject, as I’m. (1) not well versed enough to do so. (2) Not the subject of the movement. and (3) uninterested in drawing attention away from the leaders of the #BLM movement. I will be, again, posting the link in my story to a comprehensive document for donations and support.

A post shared by Cole Sprouse (@colesprouse) on

Read More: Musicians join George Floyd protests in support of Black Lives Matter

The Minnesota Freedom Fund has already raised around $20 million for helping cover legal costs for low-income individuals arrested for low-level charges. If you are willing and able to donate, you may do so here.

If you would like to donate to the George Floyd Memorial Fund which is covering all funeral and burial costs, court costs, grief counseling, travel and lodging costs of Floyd’s family and for the care and education of George Floyd’s children, you may do so here.

For others ways to donate, please head here. For anti-racism resources, head here. A detailed list of resources and links is below.

To sign petitions for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and more. 

To text or call the District Attorney and Minneapolis Mayor.

For donations to victims, protesters, black-owned businesses and more. 

For anti-racism sites, Black Lives Matter, Mental Health and other educational resources.

A massive resource link containing information for protesters. This includes info regarding laws, lawyers, dangers of protesting, guides on dealing with tear gas, first aid and digital security.