I love you, brothers. Thank you for choosing me. I hope this night makes you feel celebrated + seen. And that our brothers, sisters + siblings behind bars because they’re poor + innocent while the rich and guilty walk free feel seen in some small way too. Onward! ✊🏾 #Emmys2019 pic.twitter.com/qIf0ccGwM5
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 23, 2019
According to The Associated Press and People magazine, the Exonerated Five, formerly known as the Central Park Five, appeared on the red carpet with DuVernay, whose Netflix miniseries focuses on the men's wrongful conviction in a 1989 rape case.
"My dates," she tweeted before the show, sharing a photo of the men: Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise.
My dates. #Emmys2019 #WhenTheySeeUs #Exonerated5 pic.twitter.com/rfibE8KvGG
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 22, 2019
"When They See Us" star Jharrel Jerome, who took home the Emmy for best actor in a miniseries, also gave them an emotional shout-out as he accepted his award.
"Most importantly, this is for the men that we know as the Exonerated Five," Jerome said as the men stood, drawing applause and cheers. "This is for Raymond, Yusef, Antron, Kevin and King Korey Wise. Thank you so much. It's an honor. It's a blessing."
Jharrel Jerome thanks "The Exonerated 5" in his acceptance speech for #WhenTheySeeUs #Emmys #Emmys2019 pic.twitter.com/1T94C5RHTl
— The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) September 23, 2019
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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