'Riverdale' star Cole Sprouse arrested in California

MANILA, Philippines — Hollywood actor Cole Sprouse was arrested in Santa Monica, California during a protest against racial inequality following the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died in the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

In a lengthy Instagram post, Cole detailed his experience in the protest leading to his arrest. 

 

 

 

 

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 Jun 1, 2020 at 1:14pm PDT

“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,” the "Riverdale" star shared.

“When many did turn to leave, we found another line of police officers blocking our route, at which point, they started zip tying us."

The "Riverdale" star pointed out that the what happened is not a narrative about him.

“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,” he said.

“I noticed that there are cameras that roll within the police cruisers during the entirety of our detainment, hope it helps,” he added.

Cole said that he will not speak about the incident anymore for three reasons.

“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,” he said.

Cole last visited the Philippines in 2018 as endorser of Filipino clothing brand Bench.

RELATED: Cole Sprouse shares fond memories of Philippine visit

Cole Sprouse in Manila: Nothing to do with ‘Riverdale’

Cole Sprouse talks about archeology, ‘Riverdale’

Related Stories

Smart vs Bench: Filipino brands allegedly 'clash landing' over Hyun Bin