News | Entertainment
9 Dec 2025 15:12
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."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     09 Dec: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's daughters were furious with her when she dumped their dad in a movie
     09 Dec: Paul Walker's daughter has pledged to love him "forever"
     09 Dec: Francis Ford Coppola finds Botox "scary"
     09 Dec: Rosalia "struggles so much" with loneliness
     09 Dec: FKA Twigs is "really looking forward to getting older"
     09 Dec: Jessie J has compared cancer surgery to an episode of Black Mirror
     09 Dec: Brad Pitt still mocks George Clooney after beating him to a role in Thelma + Louise more than 35 years ago
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    New Zealand Rugby admits its in the dark as to what standard of French side will tour for the first All Blacks test at Christchurch's new stadium More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Resource Management Act is officially bound for the scrapheap More...



     Today's News

    Cricket:
    New Zealand will have a new test wicketkeeper for the second match of their series against the West Indies - starting tomorrow at Wellington 14:57

    Motoring:
    Hayden Paddon feels the odds are stacked against him for his World Rally Championship return next month 14:57

    International:
    Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery 14:57

    Law and Order:
    Police say rare circumstances led up to senseless attacks on an Auckland bus last night 14:57

    Entertainment:
    Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's daughters were furious with her when she dumped their dad in a movie 14:50

    Entertainment:
    Paul Walker's daughter has pledged to love him "forever" 14:20

    National:
    Caregiver smartphone use can affect a baby’s development. New parents should get more guidance 14:07

    Entertainment:
    Francis Ford Coppola finds Botox "scary" 13:50

    Business:
    The Resource Management Act is officially bound for the scrapheap 13:47

    Business:
    The Government's about to unveil its re-write of the Resource Management Act 13:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd