For those who know about the “Insecure” star Kendrick Sampson, they should know he’s extremely active in social justice. He’s that type that doesn’t get afraid to go out into the streets to protest. This time around, Sampson was unfortunate to be hit with rubber bullets and a baton when he took part in kicked off as a peaceful protest for George Floyd in L.A. on Sunday.
During an interview with “Extra’s” Charissa Thompson, Kendrick Sampson shared the aftermath of his experience during the protest.
“I’m pretty exhausted, but I feel strong and I feel like, you know, I’m ready to make sure that I get out there, and get back out there, and make sure that we continue this movement to defund police and hold all these officers accountable.” He added, “I have some trauma that I am working through.”
Again he addressed the dangers of protesting, basically from his years of experience. “I’ve been working with Black Lives Matter Los Angeles for years,” he said. “It wasn’t until after we ended our event they decided to become aggressive.”
He further explained how things went after being separated from his group, while some others decided to proceed with the march.
“Police showed up and blocked off the streets…They wanted to prevent us from going into Beverly Hills because they’re more worried about the property than people. And I started recording… They got enraged and… they ended up shooting me…They singled me out. They pointed at me,” Kendrick Sampson revealed. “I was shot seven times with rubber bullets… I’m glad I didn’t get hit in my head, but they hit me with the club right here. I have a chest wound… Anywhere it hits you, like, the skin comes off and bruising happens, and so anywhere it hits you, there is a lot of skin that comes off, lots of blood. I don’t want to show you my leg, but, you know, there was a lot of blood and hanging skin and stuff, so…”
As the conversation went on, Sampson showed his interviewer some of the damage done to his leg. Also, he revealed how he is working out better things with his nonprofit.
“My nonprofit initiative Build Power … is working to organize Hollywood around liberation culture and getting them involved in the real situations, connecting them to grassroots organizations, community-based organizations that are doing the real work,” Kendrick said. “Build Power collaborated with Black Lives Matter Los Angeles on many things right now. You have to look at The People’s Budget L.A…. a great example of what the defunding of police, where that money could go to.”
I know y’all edit for time but important thing got cut out at the end: 1) I advocate for UNARMED NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT first responders 2) Why? I’ll be DAMNED if one of my nephews/nieces/future kids die from police terror. They deserve better. We can build better. #DEFUNDthePolice https://t.co/pBEEtpKD9c
— Kendrick Sampson (@kendrick38) June 3, 2020
🔥🙌🏽 “Chant down Babylon, Black people are the bomb, We Ready, yeeeeaa F**K Garcetti” Electric Slide on his front lawn aka OUR front lawn #DefundThePolice ✊🏽 https://t.co/HM3crez2S3
— Kendrick Sampson (@kendrick38) June 3, 2020
Took the streets w/ masks on amidst a pandemic.
Cuz we know we can build a world free from police violence.
Cuz we know we need to defund the police & fund our futures.
Our country is ablaze. Trump lit the match. He must resign.We ain’t waiting til November “Defend” to 90975 pic.twitter.com/Nc0K9OtOHt
— Kendrick Sampson (@kendrick38) June 2, 2020