Jesse Williams Is The Subject Of Dueling Online Petitions Following Passionate BET Awards Speech

Jesse Williams is the subject of dueling online petitions following the actor’s fiery speech after receiving a humanitarian honor at the BET Awards last month.

One petition calls for the “Grey’s Anatomy” star to be fired over the June 26 speech in which he criticized police in America, saying: “We know that police somehow manage to de-escalate, disarm and not kill white people every day.”

Another petition filed in response supports Williams, calling him “a brave leader.”

Honoree Jesse Williams accepts the Humanitarian Award onstage during the 2016 BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2016 in Los Angeles
(Getty Images)

“Grey’s Anatomy” creator and producer Shonda Rhimes has given her own thoughts on Twitter , writing “Um, people? Boo don’t need a petition.”

Williams has played Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC drama for seven seasons.

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