Australian actress Kate Neilson reveals the horror of the Los Angeles riots – and says protesters told her to stay near the front because police ‘won’t shoot white people’
Australian actress and model Kate Neilson has revealed the frightening reality of the anti-police brutality protests happening in Los Angeles.
Kate, who has been living in LA since 2016, told the Herald Sun on Monday the riots have been the ‘scariest thing I’ve ever experienced’.
‘The damage is so bad in West Hollywood, there is literally nothing left to do. It was just madness in the end,’ she said.
‘I got told to go to the front because I’m white and won’t get shot’: Actress and model Kate Neilson said the riots in Los Angeles have been the ‘scariest thing I’ve ever experienced’
‘Because I’m white I got told to go to the front as I won’t get shot,’ she explained.
Kate went on to say seeing the protest first hand has been a ‘huge eye opener’ as it has helped her understand why the people are fighting for justice.
The actress also said it was a peaceful protest but she saw ‘police brutality with my own eyes’.
Protest: Kate, who has been living in LA since 2016, said seeing the protest first hand has been a ‘huge eye opener’ as it has helped her understand why the people are fighting for justice
‘Everyone has the right to protest, the police literally just started shooting into the crowd and caused unnecessary violence,’ she said.
‘I was left a little bit traumatised from seeing it first hand. But I get why they’re doing it and we need to open our eyes to what is happening.’
Kate, who was once engaged to former Australian rules footballer, Wayne Carey, also shared footage of the protest to Facebook and said she’s witnessed police shooting ‘rubber bullets into innocent people’.
‘It’s caused unnecessary violence’: The actress also revealed she’s witnessed police shooting ‘rubber bullets into innocent people’
‘I just witnessed police shooting rubber bullets into innocent people right in front of my eyes!!! Those things are lethal and dangerous,’ she wrote.
‘I have never been so terrified in all of my life… how is this justice? The police should be ashamed!! Why isn’t anyone stopping them?’
Protests and riots have erupted across the US since George Floyd, 46, died in Minneapolis on Monday after a white cop pressed his knee against Mr Floyd’s neck for eight minutes.
Riots: Protests have erupted across the US since George Floyd, 46, died in Minneapolis on Monday after a white cop pressed his knee against Mr Floyd’s neck for eight minutes
The officer involved, Derek Michael Chauvin, was charged with third degree murder and manslaughter days after footage of the incident went viral.
Protesters took to the streets demanding reform after what many believe is another senseless death and example of police brutality. Mr Floyd had been accused of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a deli.
Los Angeles erupted in violence Saturday as cops in riot gear clashed with protesters who sprayed graffiti and torched police cruisers while officers shot rubber bullets into crowds and beat demonstrators with batons.
Demonstrations: Los Angeles erupted in violence as cops in riot gear clashed with protesters who sprayed graffiti and torched police cruisers while officers shot rubber bullets into crowds and beat demonstrators with batons