One producer behind Star Wars: The Acolyte was shot by police while participating in the growing unrest in Los Angeles, which many are calling the LA riots. But rather than address the widespread looting, fires, or attacks on law enforcement, this Disney Star Wars producer is placing all the blame squarely on the LAPD.
Jen Richards on The Mayfair Witches – Jen Richards via Instagram
Jen Richards, an actor and television producer who worked on the Disney+ streaming series The Acolyte—which flopped hard and was canceled after a single season—took to social media over the weekend to share images and commentary after reportedly being struck by rubber bullets and flashbangs during a protest that turned chaotic.
View this post on Instagram
Richards, a biological male who identifies as female, claimed to be present in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday during what was described as a peaceful demonstration. According to an Instagram post on Richards’s personal account, “Thousands of peaceful protestors showed up to demonstrate that we won’t stand by as our neighbors get rounded up to appease the…fever dreams of a President and his fragile ego.”
That post followed with claims that LAPD officers fired on the crowd as Richards allegedly walked away with hands up.
“I was hit by flashbangs and rubber bullets, all while walking backwards with my hands up,” the post continued.
Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©.
Richards included photos of the injury, including a visible wound to the foot, stating, “Flashbangs aren’t too bad—they’re loud and sting. Rubber bullets however… well, check out my foot. It tore through my docs!”
The lengthy Instagram tirade ended with a dramatic message.
“I’m a rather fragile, sensitive, fight-with-my-words type,” the Acolyte producer said. “But sometimes [things] go too far and you gotta stand up for truth, liberty, and empathy. Now is that time.”
Lee Jung-jae as Sol , Manny Jacinto as Qimir, and Amandla Stenberg as Osha in The Acolyte (2024), Lucasfilm
The social media post has since gone viral in certain activist circles, but noticeably absent from Richards’s comments was any mention of the violent criminal activity that led to the police response in the first place.
Since Friday, Los Angeles has been the scene of what many are calling a second wave of the 2020 riots. The current unrest was sparked by federal immigration enforcement actions, but quickly devolved into chaos. Numerous storefronts were looted across several districts, multiple vehicles were set on fire, and police officers were targeted with fireworks, bottles, and bricks. The LAPD declared a tactical alert and President Donald Trump ordered the National Guard to assist in restoring order.
Videos circulating on social media and confirmed by local media outlets show protestors smashing windows, storming businesses, and clashing violently with police.
Koril (Margarita Levieva) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Despite the evidence, Richards has made no effort to distance from the rioters or condemn the destruction. The singular focus on blaming the LAPD while ignoring the looting and violence has raised eyebrows—especially given this individual’s prior work on The Acolyte, a show that itself has been mired in backlash over controversial themes and low audience reception.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: Leslye Headland attends the launch event for Lucasfilm’s new Star Wars series The Acolyte at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Whether Richards’s comments gain traction outside activist circles remains to be seen, but it’s yet another example of Hollywood personalities engaging in selective outrage while omitting critical context.
How do you feel about a producer for The Acolyte commenting on the LA riots? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
