News | Entertainment
2 Jul 2025 14:40
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
     02 Jul: Taylor Swift has spent $13,000 on a giant friendship bracelet
     02 Jul: Kate Winslet has become an ambassador for The King's Foundation
     02 Jul: Bob Geldof has praised his late ex-wife Paula Yates for being instrumental in Live Aid
     02 Jul: Sir Brian May doesn't believe that his Queen bandmate Freddie Mercury has a secret daughter
     02 Jul: Scarlett Johansson has revealed that her twin brother Hunter was her most enthusiastic supporter at the premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth
     02 Jul: James Norton is "crazily grateful" for the "pain" of his split from Imogen Poots
     02 Jul: Rihanna's father died of cancer and other serious illnesses
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The spectre of a second-string opponent is just something the All Blacks have to deal with More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Woolworths is recalling potentially plastic-infused mince, sold in its North Island stores More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift has spent $13,000 on a giant friendship bracelet 14:36

    Soccer:
    The Wellington Phoenix have confirmed the departure of three men's players 14:07

    Entertainment:
    Kate Winslet has become an ambassador for The King's Foundation 14:06

    Accident and Emergency:
    A 34-year-old woman's died, after a two-vehicle crash last Thursday on State Highway Two in Tauranga 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Bob Geldof has praised his late ex-wife Paula Yates for being instrumental in Live Aid 13:36

    Business:
    Woolworths is recalling potentially plastic-infused mince, sold in its North Island stores 13:27

    Rugby League:
    The odds are shortening on Des Hasler being the first NRL head coach to be punted this season 13:07

    Entertainment:
    Sir Brian May doesn't believe that his Queen bandmate Freddie Mercury has a secret daughter 13:06

    Entertainment:
    Scarlett Johansson has revealed that her twin brother Hunter was her most enthusiastic supporter at the premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth 12:36

    Law and Order:
    Police are preparing to investigate a Gore toddler's death - for a third time 12:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd