Megan Barton Hanson has become the latest in a long line of stars who have reacted with outrage over George Floyd’s death in police custody.
The former Love Island star, 26, took to Instagram to throw her support behind the Black Lives Matter movement, amid the ongoing worldwide protests over Floyd’s May 25th death after being restrained by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On Friday, ex-police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after a video surfaced of him crushing 46-year-old Floyd’s neck with his knee.
Speaking out: Megan Barton Hanson has become the latest in a long line of stars who have reacted with outrage over George Floyd’s death in police custody
And while Megan stated that she found the nature of Floyd’s death ‘disgusting’, she also insisted that others should use their white privilege to help combat racism.
‘Firstly, please accept my apologies for the delay in this post,’ she wrote. ‘It really has taken me a minute to truly understand and process what is going on.
‘I want to say that the video of George Floyd’s unjust, brutal murder is disgusting. It pains me knowing that this happens over and over and over again.
Killed: A private autopsy ordered by the family of George Floyd has found that he was killed by asphyxia due to ‘neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain’
‘It makes me sick seeing the brutality in the videos I have seen – these are innocent people just asking to be treated like the rest of us. No one is better than anyone because of their skin colour. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – THIS IS NOT OKAY.’
She continued: ‘I really want to thank those of you who are filming things. Those of you who are sharing personal stories and experiences. Those who are educating themselves, researching what they don’t know or understand.
‘Those of you who are having uncomfortable conversations… those of you helping us become a society we can be proud of. I continue to be educated and see how privileged I am.
‘I promised myself from day one that I would use my platform in the right way – I want to promise you I will continue to research and educate myself.
Statement: While Megan stated that she found the nature of Floyd’s death ‘disgusting’, she also insisted that others should use their white privilege to help combat racism
‘I promise to do more and to do better. I know I will never feel the pain many of you feel – I know I will simply never understand.’
She then implored others to add their voices to the fight, explaining: ‘What I do understand is this; not using our white privilege is being COMPLICIT. It is OUR responsibility to see, listen, research, learn and help fight this fight against racism.
‘I trust that many of you will continue to treat others with fairness and compassion, no matter their skin colour. I trust that many of you will continue to stand up for what is right. To be not just not racist, but anti-racism.
‘And I trust that many of you will be able to recognise the privilege you have and use it in the best way you can, whether that be educating those around you, protesting, donating or simply standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
Protests: Floyd’s killing while in police custody has led to protests across the globe. Demonstrators are pictured in New York City’s Times Square on Monday
‘We can do this together. Now is the time to speak up and repeat after me… I STAND AGAINST RACISM. BLACK LIVES MATTER. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter.’
It has been a trying week for Megan, who split from her new boyfriend Harry Fenner, 30, after discovering he was married.
On Friday, she was seen enjoying a date with the multimillionaire in a Southend, Essex, park – days before discovering he’d married his wife Charlotte in July 2019.
Megan was said to be ‘gutted’ to learn Harry was married as a source told The Sun: ‘Megan really likes Harry and has been getting to know him and spending more time with him.
Trying week: Megan’s impassioned post comes after she dumped new beau Harry Fenner, after discovering he was married. Harry wed wife Charlotte in July 2019 (above)
‘She asked him whether he was single and he said he was. She had no idea he was so newly married.
‘She would never go behind another woman’s back, so this will be upsetting for both her and Harry’s wife Charlotte.
‘He even told her that he was once engaged but it hadn’t worked out. He’s lied through his teeth to her. She’s gutted.’
The reality star is believed to have ended the relationship after finding out her lover was married.
A source told MailOnline: ‘Megan has ended the romance after finding out Harry is married.’
Ex: Megan was previously in a relationship with Chelcee Grimes (pictured in September 2019)
The reality star was most recently in a relationship with footballer Chelcee Grimes, 28, and has also dated TOWIE regular Demi Sims, 23.
Megan and girlfriend Chelcee, had recently sparked split rumours with cryptic posts as they unfollowed and deleted all trace of each other on social media, while isolating separately.
Prior to what appeared to be their most recent break-up, the couple had enjoyed an on-off romance, which they rekindled in November.
Megan shot to fame in 2018, when she participated in Love Island, where she embarked on a romance with Wes Nelson.
Their relationship ended several months after the couple finished in fourth place on the ITV2 reality show.
Love Island: Megan enjoyed a high profile romance with her Love Island co-star Wes Nelson. Pictured in September 2018