Star of the upcoming Shang-Chi movie, Simu Liu, has taken to social media to advocate for the dismantling of police.
In early June, Liu took to social media to campaign for the defunding of police.
He wrote, “Over the last few days I went from empathetic and sad to just plain angry. Defund it.”
Liu added, “Defund it and make way for a new system that doesn’t prey on the lives of the underprivileged.”
Over the last few days I went from empathetic and sad to just plain angry. Defund it. Defund it and make way for a new system that doesn’t prey on the lives of the underprivileged.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) June 4, 2020
Related: Thor Actress Natalie Portman Claims Police Make Her Black Friends And Family “Feel Terror”
Liu would then declare that the current structure of the United States is based on “systemic racism.”
This is the video I sent:https://t.co/UL2eIA89hJ
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) June 4, 2020
From there Liu would write, “THE BAR IS SET TOO GODDAMN LOW.”
He continued, “Officers should be disciplined for the SLIGHTEST abuse of force and power. They should be disciplined for every punch, kick, swing of a baton, or SMIRK that was not ABSOLUTELY necessary.”
He concluded the tweet writing, “A SYSTEM CONDONES ALL OF THIS IS BROKEN.”
THE BAR IS SET TOO GODDAMN LOW.
Officers should be disciplined for the SLIGHTEST abuse of force and power. They should be disciplined for every punch, kick, swing of a baton, or SMIRK that was not ABSOLUTELY necessary.
A SYSTEM THAT CONDONES ALL OF THIS IS BROKEN.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) June 5, 2020
Liu was then asked, “If we completely dismantle the police, what will we do instead?” He responded, “Live.”
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) June 5, 2020
He then stated he wants to “reboot the criminal justice system” comparing it to Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man franchise and actor Tom Holland.
Just remember, we had to reboot Spiderman a few times to get Tom Holland.
We can reboot the criminal justice system too.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) June 9, 2020
Fans apparently began debating about Spider-Man actors and ignoring Liu’s call to reboot the criminal justice system. He had to subsequently tweet, “Guys the point was Defund the Police not let’s debate Spider-Man (I remembered the dash this time.”
Guys the point was #DefundThePolice not let’s debate Spider-Man (I remembered the dash this time)
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) June 9, 2020
Liu then declared what he would replace the police with. He wrote, “‘WhAt WiLl We RePlAcE ThE pOLiCe WiTh?!?!’ Social Workers. Crisis staff trained in de-escalation. Womens’ shelters. Counsellors. Planned Parenthood. Therapists. Safe injection sites. Rehab. Community outreach. Night classes. Affordable health care. #ImagineSomethingDifferent”
“WhAt WiLl We RePlAcE ThE pOLiCe WiTh?!?!”
Social Workers. Crisis staff trained in de-escalation. Womens’ shelters. Counsellors. Planned Parenthood. Therapists. Safe injection sites. Rehab. Community outreach. Night classes. Affordable health care. #ImagineSomethingDifferent
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) June 9, 2020
Liu’s comments would receive pushback from The Blaze writer Jessica Fletcher. She wrote, “I hate the term “privilege,” but this is some male privilege right here.”
She explained, “Thinking a woman could call a “de-escalation” hotline when a man attacks her would be funny if it wasn’t so dangerous.”
I hate the term “privilege,” but this is some male privilege right here. Thinking a woman could call a “de-escalation” hotline when a man attacks her would be funny if it wasn’t so dangerous.
— Jessica Fletcher (@heckyessica) June 9, 2020
Twitter user Neontaster added, “That woman is being raped! Quick, somebody call Planned Parenthood!”
“That woman is being raped! Quick, somebody call Planned Parenthood!”
— neontaster (@neontaster) June 9, 2020
Another added, “‘How are we going to stop criminals? Abortion!’ I see eugenics is back in style. It IS the 20s again.”
“How are we going to stop criminals? Abortion!”
I see eugenics is back in style. It IS the 20s again.
— ZehnWaters (@ZehnWaters) June 9, 2020
Related: Star Wars and Supergirl Actor Sam Witwer Now Wants To Defund The Police
Others also criticized Liu’s comments.
Ah yes love to be told it is my responsibility as a rape victim to learn self defense so I can fight off men twice my size!
They have police functions/forces in Zapatista territory & Rojava, Syria. They use force to punish rapists. Rojava doesn’t just do talking circles for them
— Señorita Rocío (@neogaia) June 9, 2020
So if someone breaks into your home, God forbid, you’re going to call who? Planned Parenthood?
Dude. lol
— 🇺🇸 The🐰FOO 🇺🇸 (@PolitiBunny) June 9, 2020
‘Hey, give me your damned wallet.’ “Sir, wouldn’t you rather have a night class on how to prepare an effective resume?’
— Tench Coxe (@CoxsTench) June 10, 2020
Has anyone asked the social workers, etc. how they feel about being volunteered for this new scheme?
I don’t think “Being a First Responder to a Domestic Violence Call” is in their course curriculum.
— Ottocus (@Ottocus1) June 10, 2020
Related: Game of Thrones Star Sophie Turner Says “White Silence Is Violence”
Liu responded to the criticisms writing, “Welcome cynics and conservative trolls! Glad you’re dropping by. While you’re here, please take a gander as to what abolishing the police actually looks like.”
He added, “Spoiler Alert: it doesn’t mean absolutely no police anymore!”
Welcome cynics and conservative trolls! Glad you’re dropping by. While you’re here, please take a gander as to what abolishing the police actually looks like. Spoiler Alert: it doesn’t mean absolutely no police anymore!https://t.co/Y1pmWxVs4Q
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) June 9, 2020
Liu seemingly doesn’t know what the word abolish means. Here’s a refresher, “formally put an end to a (system, practice, or institution).”
Nevertheless, he then tweeted a screen shot from a Guardian article attempting to validate his opinions and call for defunding the police. It reads, “Abolition groups argue that policing and prison are at their core racist and harmful and make communities less safe. They also point out that the vast majority of police work has nothing to do with responding to or preventing violence, and that police have a terrible track record of solving murders or handling rape and domestic violence.”
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) June 10, 2020
Liu is not the only Hollywood celebrity advocating for radical policies involving the police. Other Marvel Studios actors including Brie Larson and Natalie Portman have advocated for defunding the police. Star Wars and Supergirl actor Sam Witwer has also advocated for defunding the police as well.
What do you think of Simi Liu’s comments? Did he handle the response from users well?