Stars back John Boyega after Black Lives Matter protest

Stars including JK Rowling and Jordan Peele have praised John Boyega for his emotional speech at a Black Lives Matter protest in London on Wednesday.

"Black lives have always mattered," said the Star Wars actor. "We have always been important. we've always succeeded regardless."

He paid tribute to African-American George Floyd, who died in police custody on 25 May - but said his comments could damage his career.

Instead, Hollywood offered its support.

"We got you, John," said Peele, the Oscar-winning director of Get Out.

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"Happy to figure with you any time, John," said Harry Potter author JK Rowling, whose third Fantastic Beasts film is currently in pre-production. She tweeted applause emojis in response to his speech.

Boyega, who was born in London to oldsters of Nigerian descent, observed: "I do not know if I'm getting to have a career after this."

Film maker Matthew A Cherry, who won an Oscar this year for animated short film Hair Love - about an African-American father styling his daughter's hair for the primary time, added his support.

A tearful Boyega, who starred as Finn within the latest Star Wars trilogy, made his comments while addressing demonstrators in London's Hyde Park.

"I'm chatting with you from my heart," said the 28-year-old through a megaphone.

"Today is about innocent people that were halfway through their process," he continued

'Don't hold back'

"We do not know what George Floyd could have achieved, we do not know what Sandra Bland could have achieved, but today we're getting to confirm that will not be an alien thought to our young ones.

"Black lives have always mattered, we've always been important, we've always meant something and that we have always succeeded, regardless.

"And now's the time, and that i ain't waiting."

Booksmart actress and filmmaker Olivia Wilde was among the primary to reply to Boyega's speech, saying: "Absolutely. i might be honoured to figure with John Boyega and may only hope to possess the prospect . we have got your back, John. Don't twiddling my thumbs ."

'You are our hero'

Boyega's Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, tweeted his praise, saying: "Never been more pleased with you, John," signing his message "dad."

The official Star Wars account added that the series and its producers Lucasfilm "stands with John Boyega and his message that now's the time. Black lives have always mattered".

"The evil that's racism must stop. we'll plan to being a part of the change that's long overdue within the world. John Boyega, you're our hero."

 John Boyega's rousing Black Lives Matter speech wins praise and support

Boyega’s Star Wars co-stars were among those congratulating the actor on a fanatical address at anti-racism demonstration in London

John Boyega, the actor who followed up last week’s blistering attack on social media racism with a strong speech at a Black Lives Matter rally in London, has won widespread praise for his actions.

Jordan Peele, Mark Hamill, Olivia Wilde and Charlie Brooker were among those applauding the star’s rousing address in Hyde Park.

“Black lives have always mattered,” Boyega told his fellow demonstrators. “We have always been important. we've always meant something. we've always succeeded regardless. And now's the time. I ain’t waiting.

“We are a physical representation of our support for George Floyd. We are a physical representation of our support for Sandra Bland. We are a physical representation of our support for Trayvon Martin. We are a physical representation of our support for Stephen Lawrence.”