Leslie Jones, the black “Saturday Night Live” and “Ghostbusters” actress-comedian, is again the target of racist and sexist online attacks.
Jones’ personal site was taken offline Wednesday after it appeared hackers inserted explicit photos of Jones and her driver’s license and passport, as well as images of deceased gorilla Harambe and Jones posing with such stars as Rihanna, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West.
A spokesman for Jones didn’t immediately respond to messages Wednesday seeking comment. And Jones hasn’t posted about the incident on social media.
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Several celebrities supported Jones on social media Wednesday following the incident. “Ghostbusters” filmmaker Paul Feig called it an “absolute outrage,” while “Girls” star Lena Dunham asked followers to “turn our anger at trolls into love for Leslie Jones and into strategies to protect all the heroines who don’t deserve this (expletive).”
Jones’ “SNL” cast mates also expressed outrage about the hacking. Aidy Bryant said she was “so angry, disgusted and sad about this racist violent assault on Jones.” Taran Killam said the hackers are “the worst of humanity, where she is the best.”
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The celebs’ online rallying wasn’t enough for Rebecca Carroll, author of such books as “Saving The Race” and “Sugar In The Raw.” She said people in positions of power need to “go deeper.”
“Where is the practical response to this grotesque, debilitatingly mean-spirited violence?” she wrote on theguardian.com . “It’s one thing to offer her digital apologies for others’ racism. It’s another to actually take a stand to help eliminate it from our society.”
Twitter banned conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, technology editor of the right-wing site Breitbart News, for “participating in or inciting targeted abuse of individuals,” according to a Twitter notice emailed to Yiannopoulos.
“I was distressed to hear that Leslie Jones had been hacked and naked pictures of her have found their way online,” said Yiannopoulos in a statement. “I know we had our differences after my review of ‘Ghostbusters,’ but I wish her all the best at what must be a deeply upsetting time.”
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Jones quit Twitter last month, then later rejoined after facing racial slurs, obscene photos and comments about her appearance. She called on the social networking service to do more to curb harassment on the platform.
After actively posting about the Olympics on social media, the actress-comedian was tapped by NBC to contribute to the network’s coverage of the event in Rio de Janeiro. While in Brazil, Jones stood up for herself and African-American gymnast Gabby Douglas, who was also criticized online.
In recent years, Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson and Mila Kunis have been among Hollywood actresses who have had stolen nude images posted.
TMZ first reported the hacking.
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