George Clooney donated $500K to the Equal Justice Initiative on Juneteenth

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I somehow missed this, but on June 1st, the Daily Beast published a column by George Clooney. Clooney wrote about systemic racism and institutional racism in policing and more. I have no idea why I missed that when he wrote it, but I’m glad to hear from him, especially considering we really haven’t heard much from or about the Clooneys in months. Turns out, George has been paying attention to what’s happening in America. On Friday, he also donated $500K to the Equal Justice Initiative. In his statement, he referenced Donald Trump’s Wall Street Journal interview, where Trump claimed, “I did something good: I made Juneteenth very famous. It’s actually an important event, an important time. But nobody had ever heard of it.”

George Clooney is opening up his wallet for a good cause. The actor, 59, will be donating $500,000 to the Equal Justice Initiative, he tells PEOPLE in a statement.

Clooney said his donation was a response to President Donald Trump’s claim that he made Juneteenth — a longstanding holiday that marks the end of slavery — “famous.”

“Thank you President Trump for ‘making Juneteenth famous.’ Much like when Bull Connor made ‘Civil Rights’ famous. My family will be donating 500 thousand dollars to the Equal Justice Initiative in honor of your heroic efforts,” Clooney’s statement reads.

[From People]

If you don’t know who Bull Connor was, I suggest you read any book about his attacks against civil rights activists and peaceful protests in Alabama. He was a f–king monster. Clooney’s comparison checks out – Bull Connor is to Civil Rights what Donald Trump is to Juneteenth. And I love that George is spending his Casamigos cash in all of these great ways. I worried that he would just sit on all that money, but no. He’s going on a charitable giving spree!

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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7 Responses to “George Clooney donated $500K to the Equal Justice Initiative on Juneteenth”

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  1. Awkward symphony says:

    Oh I missed this too. Glad to hear he’s donating to good causes(not that he’s new to this) and his wife is busy representing journalists held by brutal regimes like in Philippines and Venezuela. I also heard he donated alot to Italy during early covid crisis. Kudos to both of them

  2. Cassandra says:

    Except Trump will either not get the reference, think it’s a compliment, or both 🙄🙄

    • pottymouth pup says:

      I’m sure it’s a compliment to him (once explained), he idolizes Andrew Jackson for a reason

  3. Lucy2 says:

    Well done George.

  4. ClaireB says:

    Good for George! I always feel sorry for him these days when I see photos of him because you can see how much pain he’s in physically.

    • Some chick says:

      Yeah, he always looks like his back hurts. I’ve had back pain before and it sucks.

      It’s great seeing him use his wealth for good (and rubbing the current regime’s nose in it for good measure).

      I know people like to drag on Amal and her clothes, but all I see is a “power couple” using their powers for good. They both amplify what the other is doing. I’m here for that. More of the 1% should.

  5. Thea says:

    Good for George. I just watched Mercy last night. It’s about how Bryan Stevenson created the EJI. If you haven’t seen it yet, give it a watch. It’s free during June.