MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Actress Leslie Jones has left Twitter after receiving a slew of racist and abusive comments on the microblogging platform.
On Monday, July 18, Leslie, who starred in the recent all-female Ghostbusters reboot, started out blocking accounts that sent her rude or mean comments. (WATCH: 8 Things to know about the all-female 'Ghostbusters' reboot)
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some people on here are fucking disgusting. I'm blocking your filthy ass if retweet that perverted shit. Just know that now bitches!!</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755072841708625920">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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A few hours later, Leslie decided to post screengrabs of the messages she'd been receiving instead, saying: "Okay I have been called apes, sent pics of *sses, even got a pic with semen on my face."
"I'm trying to figure out what human means. I'm out... You know, I'm gonna stop blocking so y'all can go through my feed yourself and see the BS. You won't believe the evil. It's f*cking scary."
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ok I have been called Apes, sent pics of their asses,even got a pic with semen on my face. I'm tryin to figure out what human means. I'm out</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755126377691680768">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You know I'm gonna stop blocking so y'all can go through my feed yourself and see the bs. You won't believe the evil. It's fucking scary</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755129652654534657">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The 48-year-old comedian then posted screengrabs of the messages, tweets, and photos she's been receiving. Some tweets even referenced Harambe, a gorilla that was shot dead after grabbing a young boy at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in May.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm exposing you suck mfs <a href="https://t.co/WLzRzE92RV">pic.twitter.com/WLzRzE92RV</a></p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755133125915766784">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Sad <a href="https://t.co/HrfV35BJJ7">pic.twitter.com/HrfV35BJJ7</a></p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755140951065190400">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So sad <a href="https://t.co/WQn097m9hn">pic.twitter.com/WQn097m9hn</a></p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755152243264028672">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/WGIpNPdxE2">pic.twitter.com/WGIpNPdxE2</a></p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755161629793345536">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Exposing <a href="https://t.co/jfSbGj3yCP">pic.twitter.com/jfSbGj3yCP</a></p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755180325840556032">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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After exposing some of the Twitter users who have been attacking her, Leslie posted a long message on Twitter, lamenting the racist comments she's received and saying she now knows why some famous personalities don't have accounts.
"It's so sad, most of these comments sound like they are from ignorant children. 'I'm the source of AIDS?!' WTF!! These people hate themselves. You have to hate yourself to putout that type of hate. I mean on my worst day I can't think of this type of hate to put out. I don't know how to feel. I'm numb. Actually numb. I see the words and pics and videos. Videos y'all. Meaning people took time to spew hate."
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's so sad,most of these comments sound like they are from ignorant children. "I'm the source of AIDS?!" WTF!! These people hate themselves</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755204877278703616">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You have to hate yourself to putout that type of hate. I mean on my worst day I can't think of this type of hate to put out.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755205254434713600">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I don't know how to feel. I'm numb. Actually numb. I see the words and pics and videos. Videos y'all. Meaning people took time to sprew hate</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755205646476271616">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This sent a video screaming he hates niggas! I'm just so like damn! Like no shame or compassion for human life.It scares the fuck out of me!</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755206070977564672">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I use to wonder why some celebs don't have Twitter accts now I know. You can't be nice and communicate with fans cause people crazy.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755206296220135424">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As much as I love live-tweeting posting the pics of awesome things that happen in this life I've been blessed with. I don't know anymore.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755206514365923328">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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"I've never claimed to be better or special. I just try to do my job as best as I can. Isn't that any of us y'all? So yeah, this hurts me! I'm more human and real than you f*cking think. I work my ass off. I'm not different than any of you who has a dream to do what they love. As much as you want to thinks actors ain't human I want to give you something to think about. I work off pure passion for this game," said Leslie.
The torrent of abuse comes after the weekend US release of Ghostbusters, which has been lauded by critics but maligned by men who have accused its female stars of being unfunny and of having ruined their childhoods.
One troll wrote: "Don't let #Ghostbusters bombing get you down. You're a shoo-in to star in the Harambe motion picture as the man himself."
Aside from the racist attacks on Leslie, the reboot itself has received a lot of criticism for the all-female cast. (READ: 'Ghostbusters' backlash reflects Hollywood's sexism problem)
Aside from Ghostbusters, Leslie is currently on the cast of Saturday Night Live.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As much as you want to thinks actors ain't human I want to give you something to think about. I work off pure passion for this game.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755206894734733312">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm more human and real than you fucking think.I work my ass off. I'm not different than any of you who has a dream to do what they love.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755207297471741955">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I've never claim to be better or special. I just try to do my job as best as I can. Isn't that any of us yall. So Yea this hurts me!</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755207636442832896">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's like when you think "ok I've proven I'm worthy" then you get hit with a shovel of hated. I'm numb. I mean I know there is racism.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755208137125269504">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">But I'm I that naive to think that some things was changing yes I was. We still live in a world where we have to say "black lives matter"</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755208606501527552">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm so tired of it. Why is this still a fight? I want to hate so bad but I can't because I know it doesn't fix anything and just make me sad</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755210319681691648">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm not stupid to not know racism exists. And I know it will probably live on way after me. But we have to make people take responsibility</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755211014145212416">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">responsibility for the hate they sprew. We have to stand up to it. block mfs but let them know they are racist and sprewing hate.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755211503758966784">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Leslie added that it's not right to ignore the comments, telling her followers that they should instead speak up against ignorance.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stop saying ignore them or that's just the way it is. Cause that's bullshit. Everybody knows an asshole check them for their hate.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755211741789884416">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stop letting g people get away with being ignorant. You stupid people to shut up. Tell them to shut up real talk. Say something.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755212115800129536">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stop letting the ignorant people be the loud ones. Y'all I got more love than hate but they louder. Fuck that be louder.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755212430939160576">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm tired of everybody not believing they can change something. We are the people we can change anything if we want. We stop eating spinach</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755212656072597504">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cause we thought it was hurting us. You mean to tell me we can't stop hate. I don't believe that. I just am sadden today.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755213191643357184">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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She also called out to Twitter for stricter guidelines: "Twitter I understand you got free speech I get it. But there has to be some guidelines when you let spread like that. You can see on the profiles that some of these people are crazy sick. It's not enough to freeze [accounts]. They should be reported."
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Twitter I understand you got free speech I get it. But there has to be some guidelines when you let spread like that. You can see on the</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755215219178237952">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Profiles that some of these people are crazy sick. It's not enough to freeze Acct. They should be reported.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755215459079815168">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And for all the "don't stoop to their level people" it's way past that. So please have a seat. Don't tell me how to react.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755217303613140993">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cause I have every right to be offended and pissed. So for right now I have to take a break. All this hatred giving me the blues! Outty 5000</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755217828219879425">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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She also called out a fake account that was pretending to be her and using harsh words against the criticism.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THIS WAS NOT ME!! OK TWITTER IM DONE!! IF YALL CAN LET THIS SHIT HAPPEN I DONT WANT TO BE HERE. I DID NOT POST THIS <a href="https://t.co/CDGbuOHJN4">pic.twitter.com/CDGbuOHJN4</a></p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755246358609727488">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I feel like I'm in a personal hell. I didn't do anything to deserve this. It's just too much. It shouldn't be like this. So hurt right now.</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755261962674696192">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart.All this cause I did a movie.You can hate the movie but the shit I got today...wrong</p>— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/755271004520349698">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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"I feel like I'm in a personal hell. I didn't do anything to deserve this. It's just too much. It shouldn't be like this. So hurt right now," tweeted Leslie, before signing off from the social media site.
Support
Twitter has released a statement saying it had "taken action" on many of the accounts reported for abusing Leslie after Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey reached out to her.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg">@Lesdoggg</a> Hi Leslie, following, please DM me when you have a moment</p>— Jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/755235268056092672">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Ghostbusters director Paul Feig spoke up for Leslie on his own Twitter account, saying, "Leslie Jones is one of the greatest people I know. Any personal attacks against her are attacks against us all."
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leslie Jones is one of the greatest people I know. Any personal attacks against her are attacks against us all. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LoveForLeslieJ?src=hash">#LoveForLeslieJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg">@Lesdoggg</a></p>— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) <a href="https://twitter.com/paulfeig/status/755169545501876225">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You did nothing to deserve this. The Internet is filled with good people but there a few pieces of shit out there. <a href="https://t.co/PbCA0czBGd">https://t.co/PbCA0czBGd</a></p>— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) <a href="https://twitter.com/paulfeig/status/755270761816858624">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You're joking, right? You think this shit is real? Racist tweets are being manufactured & attributed to Leslie & I. <a href="https://t.co/YtS5yu8YVC">https://t.co/YtS5yu8YVC</a></p>— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) <a href="https://twitter.com/paulfeig/status/755281372512518144">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Ghostbusters screenwriter Katie Dippold also tweeted support for Leslie.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I love <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg">@lesdoggg</a><br>Not only brilliant but one of the kindest people I've ever met</p>— Katie Dippold (@katiedippold) <a href="https://twitter.com/katiedippold/status/755168400461078528">July 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Others started a #LoveForLeslieJ hashtag, encouraging Jones to "stay strong" and return to Twitter, while celebrities including actors John Boyega and Jada Pinkett Smith publicly offered their support.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg">@Lesdoggg</a> queen, wishing you well. Go through your process and hopefully you find peace. Don't let them stop you</p>— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnBoyega/status/755284995397287936">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LoveForLeslieJ?src=hash">#LoveForLeslieJ</a>. Keep your head up and shine mama! <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg">@Lesdoggg</a></p>— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/jadapsmith/status/755229306863783936">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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– Rappler.com