Free Republic

Empire actor Jussie Smollett pledged in a press conference Tuesday to continue fighting for “justice” and “equality” following reports that charges against the Fox star were dropped in connection to filing a false police report about an allegedly staged hate crime against himself. “Now I’d like nothing more than to just get back to work and move on with my life,” Smollett told reporters outside a Chicago courthouse. “But make no mistake, I will always continue to fight for the justice, equality, and betterment of marginalized people everywhere.”

In a highly unusual decision, prosecutors on Tuesday dropped charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett that accused him of staging a hate-crime attack against himself — a move that Mayor Rahm Emanuel later called a “whitewash of justice.” The actor was indicted March 8 with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly hiring two men to attack him near his Streeterville home in January. The $10,000 posted for Smollett’s bond will be turned over to the City of Chicago Law Department. The hearing lasted less than 5 minutes. Cook County Circuit Judge Steven G. Watkins sealed the case file. Chicago...

Shortly after prosecutors formally dropped charges against Jussie Smollett on Tuesday, the embattled Empire actor held a press conference to discuss the new development. “First of all, I want to thank my family, my friends, the incredible people of Chicago and all over the country and the world who have supported me, prayed for me, who showed me so much love,” Smollett began. “No one will ever know how much that has meant to me, and I will be forever grateful.” He continued, “I want you to know that not for a moment was it in vain. I have been...