News | Entertainment
18 Jan 2026 13:06
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Leslie Jones has urged protestors in America not to cause destruction during protests

    The ‘Saturday Night Live’ alum previously carried a sledgehammer when she attended protests against racial injustice 30 years ago, and has said that whilst she felt like a “hero” at the time, she now regrets bringing the object with her, and would discourage other protestors from causing destruction


    Leslie spoke amid the current protests taking place across America following the death of George Floyd, who died when a police offer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes during an arrest.

    When asked what advice she’d give her younger self during the protests, she said: "I would say, ‘Don't take that sledgehammer. Don't take that sledgehammer.' Because the sledgehammer literally made me a hero in so many places. I opened up so many doors with that sledgehammer. I remember I broke - and I have to tell you this - it was a supermarket and there was a chain fence and they couldn't get it open. So, I came with my sledgehammer and … it went open and everybody was like, ‘Yeah!’ ”

    The 52-year-old comedian and actress quickly realised the damage she’d helped cause the following day when she saw people “crying about their business being burnt down”, and vowed to never join riots during protesting again.

    She added: "I can laugh about it now, but imma tell you, I didn't laugh when I was riding through my city after that and seeing burnt down buildings and having nowhere to shop. And, you know, seeing black people crying about their business being burnt down. It wasn't funny then, you know?

    "So, I think I would say to my 22-year-old self, ‘What do you think you're gonna change by going out there with that?’"

    Now, Leslie is using her platform to speak out against injustice, and to urge her fans to vote in the upcoming US presidential election.

    Speaking during an appearance on ‘Late Night With Seth Meyers’, she said: "I'm gonna use my platform to make sure everybody understands the importance of voting. I think we all just need to realise that we're all human and living on the same Earth and need to start working together before we don't have nothing."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     18 Jan: Connor Storrie doesn't think his dad "needs to see" Heated Rivalry
     18 Jan: Tom Brady doesn't "have much time for a personal life"
     18 Jan: Carol Burnett wants to quit acting now she's in her 90s
     18 Jan: Ne-Yo is in "one relationship with three people"
     18 Jan: Tish Cyrus was "not functioning" as she battled "absolutely horrible" anxiety following the death of her mom and the breakdown of her marriage
     18 Jan: Lala Kent suffered "disgusting" boils after being bitten by an insect
     18 Jan: Kerry Katona has made "millions" from OnlyFans
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former All Blacks wing Grant Batty is being remembered for his bravery on the rugby field and ability to energise a crowd More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Revelations New Zealanders faced a 200-percent spike in E-shop scams over the festive season More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Connor Storrie doesn't think his dad "needs to see" Heated Rivalry 12:53

    Auckland:
    Police are investigating a suspicious house fire in Auckland's Wesley, which sent its sole occupant to hospital 12:27

    Entertainment:
    Tom Brady doesn't "have much time for a personal life" 12:23

    Politics:
    A return to running candidates in the Maori seats isn't on the cards for New Zealand First in this year's election 11:57

    Entertainment:
    Carol Burnett wants to quit acting now she's in her 90s 11:53

    Politics:
    Iranian protesters are calling on Trump to intervene — but the shadow of 1953 still haunts the US 11:47

    Entertainment:
    Ne-Yo is in "one relationship with three people" 11:23

    Health & Safety:
    Auckland University is taking aim at New Zealand's biggest cancer killer - by opening the country's first lung cancer organoid bank 11:07

    Entertainment:
    Tish Cyrus was "not functioning" as she battled "absolutely horrible" anxiety following the death of her mom and the breakdown of her marriage 10:53

    Environment:
    Torrential downpours in parts of Northland overnight have seen residents wake up to floodwaters 10:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd