Kamala Harris: Violent attack on ‘Empire’ star is ‘attempted modern day lynching’

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) condemned the violent attack on actor Jussie Smollett, calling it “an attempted modern day lynching.”

“[Smollett] is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery,” the 2020 presidential candidate tweeted.

“This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.”

.@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery.

This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2019

{mosads}Harris also told reporters Tuesday after hearing of the incident that the attack was “awful” and “outrageous.”

The Chicago Police Department said Tuesday that it was investigating the attack as a “possible hate crime.”

Police said Smollett had a rope tied around his neck and an “unknown chemical substance” poured on him during the attack, which occurred around 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Smollett’s attackers yelled racial and homophobic slurs, according to police.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) echoed Harris’s comments, tweeting: “The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I’m glad he’s safe.”

Booker also urged his fellow lawmakers to support a bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime.

The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I’m glad he’s safe.

To those in Congress who don’t feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention. https://t.co/EwXFxl5f2m

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 29, 2019

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) also tweeted that she is “praying for Jussie and his family.”

“This is a sickening and outrageous attack, and horribly, it’s the latest of too many hate crimes against LGBTQ people and people of color,” she tweeted. “We are all responsible for condemning this behavior and every person who enables or normalizes it.”

This is a sickening and outrageous attack, and horribly, it’s the latest of too many hate crimes against LGBTQ people and people of color. We are all responsible for condemning this behavior and every person who enables or normalizes it. Praying for Jussie and his family. https://t.co/eylvxhLT0u

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) January 29, 2019