News | Entertainment
26 Nov 2025 10:50
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
     26 Nov: Kelly Brook was left "mortified" when she did the "smelliest fart" in front of Madonna
     26 Nov: Dick Van Dyke "almost" became James Bond
     26 Nov: Craig David always seeks his mum's advice on his music
     26 Nov: Lucy Liu still has a "belief in the magic of filmmaking"
     26 Nov: Kristin Cavallari reportedly dated Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy earlier this year
     26 Nov: Andrew Garfield is determined to keep his love life private
     26 Nov: Selma Blair is getting her "stamina back" amid her battle with multiple sclerosis
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former Wallabies rugby coach John Connolly is giving the All Blacks' depth under Scott Robertson an edge over the Springboks two years from the World Cup More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Tensions are rising over Christchurch's temporary stadium, with Canterbury Rugby League claiming it's owed hundreds of thousands dollars in revenue More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    A mother who murdered her children - aged eight and six - and stored their bodies in suitcases in a storage unit, has been sent to prison for life, with no parole for at least 17-years 10:47

    Entertainment:
    Kelly Brook was left "mortified" when she did the "smelliest fart" in front of Madonna 10:38

    National:
    ‘Without prejudice’: What this 2-word legalese means for the dismissed charges against James Comey and Letitia James 10:37

    National:
    Golden retriever and human behaviour may be linked by the same genes – new research 10:27

    Law and Order:
    The prominent Christchurch eye surgeon jailed for attempting to murder his landlord, has been warned by the Parole Board, for threatening his victims 10:27

    National:
    How the Trump administration tried to sell Ukraine a diplomatic debacle 10:17

    Entertainment:
    Dick Van Dyke "almost" became James Bond 10:08

    National:
    The ChatGPT effect: In 3 years the AI chatbot has changed the way people look things up 10:07

    Environment:
    Palestinians left without shelter after Gaza tent cities flood again 10:07

    Business:
    Tensions are rising over Christchurch's temporary stadium, with Canterbury Rugby League claiming it's owed hundreds of thousands dollars in revenue 10:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd