The actress has faced an onslaught of vile online hate since the announcement of her casting. <\/p>
More than 800 predominantly Black female and non-binary actors have signed an open letter condemning the racist abuse actress Francesca Amewudah-Rivers has faced since she was cast in Jamie Lloyd\u2019s production of Romeo & Juliet.<\/p>\n
Among\u00a0the actors who have signed the letter are Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Lolly Adefope and Amewudah-Rivers\u2019 Romeo & Juliet co-star Freema Agyeman<\/a>.<\/p>\n The letter, which was organised by Susan Wokoma and Somalia Nony\u00e9 Seaton and published by The Guardian<\/a>, reads: \u201cWhen news of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers\u2019 casting in Jamie Lloyd\u2019s production of Romeo and Juliet was announced so many people celebrated and welcomed this news.<\/p>\n \u201cMany of us took to social media to shower our baby sis with love and congratulations \u2013 a huge deal for someone so young in their career. A huge rising talent.<\/p>\n \u201cBut then what followed was a too familiar horror that many of us visible Black dark skinned performers have experienced. The racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a sweet soul has been too much to bear.<\/p>\n \u201cFor a casting announcement of a play to ignite such twisted ugly abuse is truly embarrassing for those so empty and barren in their own lives that they must meddle in hateful abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n The letter comes after the Jamie Lloyd Company last week denounced the \u201cbarrage of deplorable racial abuse\u201d directed at Amewudah-Rivers.<\/p>\n Over the weekend, a statement from the theatre company was posted online, insisting that the abuse \u201cmust stop\u201d.<\/p>\n A statement from the @JamieLloydCo<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/C7j7g9ZZNE<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Romeo and Juliet (@RomeoJulietLDN) April 5, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>