Comedian Bill Cosby is defending his friend Phylicia Rashad after the actress was roasted for celebrating his overturned conviction. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cosby released a statement reminding Howard University about Rashad’s Freedom of Speech.
“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,” read the statement.
As Sister 2 Sister reported, Cosby’s sexual assault conviction for assaulting Andrea Constand was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on June 30. The 83-year-old was released after serving nearly three years of his three to 10-year sentence.
Rashad, 73, was thrilled that her friend was released from prison and Tweeted her happiness. The actress was quickly dragged on social media, and Howard students demanded her removal as the dean of the College of Fine Arts.
You dropped this pic.twitter.com/OVs9y1ajsh
— Mya_cooling (@JamyaYoung1) July 2, 2021
Rashad apologized to sexual assault victims and Howard University, saying that she meant no harm and would attend training programs on sexual assault. Howard University also issued a statement denouncing Rashad’s initial Tweet.
— Howard University (@HowardU) July 1, 2021
Cosby retweeted a message posted by songstress Stephanie Mills stating that if Howard was coming for Rashad’s job, they also need to come to Bill Cosby with his money. Cosby has donated millions to HBCUs over the years.
“I love you @phyliciarashad. If it’s true that Howard University wants to terminate her Position because they feel her comments about Mr. Cosby were insensitive, then they should give back the millions of dollars that he donated to the university.”
Cosby retweeted the post with a comment.
“Thank you @iamstephaniemills your voice has always been powerful!”
Thank you @iamstephaniemills your voice has always been powerful! https://t.co/KwsVF4gAuz
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) July 4, 2021
Cosby posted court documents that said that Cosby’s conviction had been overturned due to due process and not a technicality. He also claimed that the media has a hand in painting him as a predator.
“Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. William H. Cosby. Concurring and Dissenting Opinion. By publicly announcing that appellant William Cosby would not be charged with any crimes related to Andrea Constand — a decision apparently made, in part, to FORCE Cosby to testify in Constand’s future anticipated CIVIL SUIT — former Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor intended to, and in fact did, force Cosby to give up his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Then, years later, Castor’s successor used the damaging evidence Cosby turned over in the civil case to convict him of the same criminal offenses he had previously been induced to believe were off the table. I am constrained to agree with the majority that due process does not permit the government to engage in this type of coercive bait-and-switch. For these reasons, Cosby’s convictions and judgment of sentence are vacated, and he is discharged.”
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DUE PROCESS IS NOT A TECHNICALITY. THE MEDIA CAN’T SILENCE THE TRUTH. #BillCosbyDidntAdmit? https://t.co/qkSI2W23Yl
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) July 4, 2021
In response to the rhetoric that the media keeps pushing, Bill Cosby never admitted in his deposition testimony, or anywhere else, to nonconsensual sexual contact with any woman and/or the drugging of anyone — he has never admitted to spiking drinks, as the media would like you pic.twitter.com/etbyWlgZsT
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) July 1, 2021
he has never admitted to spiking drinks, as the media would like you to believe. He has steadfastly maintained his innocence, before and after being falsely convicted of aggravated indecent assault.
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) July 1, 2021
Mainstream media has irresponsibly, egregiously and inexcusably misled the public with out of context coverage regarding Bill Cosby’s deposition testimony. This shall serve as a grave reminder of the consequences that come with lying to the American people to satisfy an agenda.
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) July 1, 2021
“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.”
― Malcolm X— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) July 1, 2021
Reactions to Cosby’s Twitter-athon were mixed between supporters for sexual assault survivors and supporters of Cosby’s. Director Titus Burrell said that he now hated the comedian. Others welcomed him home.
I’ve never hated a childhood hero more. Fuck @BillCosby https://t.co/I7yRhc3Z2W
— Titus (@TitusNation) July 4, 2021
You’re entitled to your opinion (which is a trash one), but not your own facts.
Bill Cosby never gave millions to Howard University.
And if he did, to imply that his money entitles the university not to criticize his rapist ways speaks volumes…a shame. https://t.co/7vbGGlY0eu
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) July 4, 2021
Can you separate the Huxtables & Hillman from #Cosby? Do you still watch either of these shows in syndication? Considering what these shows meant for the culture… where should we be on this? We’re discussing on The #CrossConnection
Join the conversation & weigh in…
— @tiffanydcross (@TiffanyDCross) July 3, 2021
The Black People attacking Phylicia Rashad.#BillCosby #EndWhiteSupremacy pic.twitter.com/k0cccqOV26
— DAP/ADOS TRIBE?? (@Black_Action) July 5, 2021
Welcome Home @BillCosby
— Al Amirah (@mirahmami) July 5, 2021
Run back that #BillCosby money, https://t.co/Da90LccY15
— Kia Soto (@kia_soto) July 4, 2021
Welcome home brotha @BillCosby
— B1 Showharu?? (@B1_Showharu) July 4, 2021
Watching this right now. Keep on pushing Dr. Cosby. We love you regardless of what anyone says about you. Eventually glass houses break when they throw stones. pic.twitter.com/Pcn4zslu67
— Rahkmaan AlTariek Chavis (@rahkmaan) July 4, 2021
Cosby, who has always maintained that he was innocent, is in talks with promotors to go back on the road doing stand-up to replace finances lost since his 2015 arrest. Howard University hasn’t responded to Cosby’s defense of Rashad.
