John Boyega addresses ‘love and support’ in first post since powerful Black Lives Matter speech: ‘I know you’re all thinking, what’s next?’

‘One man can’t do it alone – I need you, and we need each other!’ the Star Wars actor wrote

John Boyega has addressed the overwhelming response to his powerful Black Lives Matter protest speech, saying that “nothing [he has] done is for praise or enough in the grand scheme of things”.

The actor received mass support after delivering a tearful speech in Hyde Park on Wednesday (3 June), which referenced police involvement in the deaths of George Floyd, Sandra Bland and Trayvon Martin in the US, as well as the death of Stephen Lawrence in the UK.

Industry figures, including actor-directors Jordan Peele, Oliva Wilde and Elizabeth Banks, began tweeting their support for the Star Wars actor after he told the crowd: “I’m speaking to you from my heart. Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this, but f*** that.”

Read Boyega’s first Instagram post since the impassioned speech below:

“I want to thank you all for the love and support you have shared over the last few days, although nothing I have done is for praise, or is truly even enough, in the grand scheme of things.”

“This is an intense time for our community, and the most important thing is for us to maintain momentum and not lose sight of how critical it is to pursue long term solutions and commitments, for the sake of our generation, and the next.

“Our individual pursuits of success and belonging remain, but now more than ever, it’s important to use this movement as fuel to inspire new ways of thinking, building, and growing, together. I believe any great movement starts with a renewal of the mind.

“I know you’re all thinking, what’s next? Where do we go from here? Because I’m thinking the same s***! Conversations about black businesses, ownership and support are happening, and I will continue to have these conversations with the full intention of birthing ideas that are sustainable and tangible. Let’s increase our knowledge! I’m excited to see an awakening happening in all of us!

“I’ll continue to use my platform to fight against the injustices and inequalities in our community, no matter what. Nonetheless, one man can’t do it alone – I need you, and we need each other! We need everyone, across industries, socio-economic backgrounds, countries, to unite with a shared goal of REAL change.

“Before the pandemic hit, I visited a few schools in Southwark, to share my journey and to truly understand the minds and needs of our next generation. It was eye opening and inspiring to say the least, and I look forward to continuing this work, and contributing more, once it is safe to do so. I urge the black men of our community, my peers, to do the same. Connecting with our kids and motivating them towards a future that is stronger and brighter, is urgent, and necessary.

“In the meantime, let’s work on clearing the runway for them, so they can take off, and fly. Love everyone, and stay safe x.”