The former star of 'The Cosby Show', who was recently appointed Dean of Howard University's Fine Arts College, has come under fire for celebrating her ex-TV husband's prison release.
- Jul 5, 2021
AceShowbiz - Bill Cosby has urged officials at America's Howard University to support actress and faculty member Phylicia Rashad's right to freedom of speech amid a backlash for celebrating her former TV husband's prison release.
The disgraced comedian walked free from prison on June 30, after judges at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court cited legal technicalities as they tossed out his 2018 conviction for drugging and sexually assaulting Temple University staff member Andrea Constand at his home in 2004.
Rashad was one of the few people to praise the judges' decision, insisting "a terrible wrong is being righted," but after an initial uproar, she returned to Twitter and claimed she meant no offence to victims of sexual assault.
The actress, who was recently appointed Dean of Howard University's Fine Arts College, was chastised for her remarks by school executives, and on Friday, she issued a formal apology to students of Washington, D.C.'s historically black institution, vowing to take the steps to become a better ally for victims of sex crimes.
She also deleted the original controversial tweet.
However, Cosby is standing up for Rashad, initially showing his support for fans who suggested Howard bosses return the millions of dollars he had previously donated if they plan to fire his "The Cosby Show" co-star.
Now he has further shared this thoughts on the scandal, hitting out at university executives and the mainstream media for attacking Rashad simply for voicing her opinion.
"Howard University you must support ones Freedom of Speech [Ms. Rashad], which is taught or suppose to be taught everyday at that renowned law school, which resides on your campus," he declared in a statement released through his longtime spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, on Sunday, July 4, America's birthday.
"This mainstream media are the Insurrectionists, who stormed the Capitol," he randomly continued, referencing the January 6 siege by Donald Trump supporters and right wing extremists in Washington, D.C.
"Those same Media Insurrectionists are trying to demolish the Constitution of these United State of America on this Independence Day. No technicality - it's a violation of ones rights & we the people stand in support of Ms. Phylicia Rashad [sic]."
Howard University chiefs have yet to respond to Cosby's criticism.
