Grey's Anatomy Stars Ellen Pompeo and T.R. Knight Take a Knee Together During L.A. Protests
Ellen Pompeo and T.R. Knight are rejoining forces in a call for justice.
On Wednesday, the Grey's Anatomy actors were among the many residents in the Los Angeles area who gathered for a peaceful protest in West Hollywood. Pompeo, 50, and Knight, 47, took a knee among the crowds, as demonstrators called for justice and accountability in the wake of last week's killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.
For the show of solidarity, Knight held a sign that read "Black Lives Matter," as they both wore masks for the public outing.
Before leaving the demonstration to return home to her kids (son Eli Christopher, 3, and daughters Sienna May, 5, and Stella Luna, 10), Pompeo addressed her followers on Instagram Live to share her experience at the protests.
"Some of my friends who I'm with, we made an observation," she said in the clip, re-shared on Twitter.
London Entertainment/SplashNews.com Ellen Pompeo and T.R. Knight kneel during a protest against police brutality in West Hollywood, California.
The actress went on to note that for this peaceful daytime Black Lives Matter assembly, there were heavily armed law enforcement everywhere — something she says she never noticed at previous demonstrations she's participated in.
"We're at a march for black lives, and we're here to talk about the fact that they matter, and there's machine guns — big ones — and aggression," she said, noting the contrast between the response to these protests versus at the Women's March, climate change marches and Pride parades.
"The cops weren't so aggressive, but their stance is aggressive; they're on rooftops, they're in cars, they're in tanks, and I haven't ever seen that show of force," said Pompeo.
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London Entertainment/SplashNews.com T.R. Knight and Ellen Pompeo march during a protest against police brutality in West Hollywood, California.
Thank you @ABCNetwork https://t.co/D8v0jIO28r
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) May 31, 2020
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Signing off on the video message to fans, the star said: "I hope you all had a good day; I certainly did, letting people know that they matter. Love you all."
Pompeo has played the lead role of Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey's Anatomy since 2005, while Knight left the show in 2009. The pals shared a mini-reunion in March when Pompeo shared a sweet photo of herself with Knight, who played Dr. George O’Malley on the long-running show.
“Old friends are the BEST friends @t.r.knight,” she wrote alongside the photo. “But like we aren’t old … we’ve just known each other for a very long time yes yes that’s it…”
The pair joins a growing list of celebrities showing up at protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, including John Boyega, Halsey, Ben Affleck and more.
RELATED VIDEO: Voices from Protests After George Floyd's Death: 'Our Skin Color Should Not Be Considered a Weapon'
Voices from Protests After George Floyd's Death: 'Our Skin Color Should Not Be Considered a Weapon'
"It has been a life-altering experience," says one police chief after joining marchers protesting the killing of George Floyd in police custody
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Grey's Anatomy's home network, ABC, issued a statement of support amid the ongoing protests, writing that at the company, "We believe in liberty and justice for all."
"We stand with our black colleagues, creators, performers, storytellers, viewers and every ally of the black community against systemic racism, racial injustice, senseless violence and oppression. Your voice matters. Black lives matter."
To help combat systemic racism, consider learning from or donating to these organizations:
Campaign Zero (joincampaignzero.org) which works to end police brutality in America through research-proven strategies.
ColorofChange.org works to make government more responsive to racial disparities.
National Cares Mentoring Movement (caresmentoring.org) provides social and academic support to help black youth succeed in college and beyond.
