EXCLUSIVE: Jesse Williams Asks a Police Officer About the Disproportionate Arrests of Black Schoolchildren
Jesse Williams is asking one police officer to take a hard look at student arrests.
The Grey's Anatomy star travels to Pinellas County, Florida, to investigate inequality in the school system for the upcoming EPIX series, America Divided.
"Pinellas is third in the state in disproportionately arresting black children," the 35-year-old actor explains in the video. "Three times as many students are arrested for disorderly conduct in Pinellas, than in Miami. And Miami has three times the amount of students. That's pretty alarming."
WATCH: Jesse Williams Delivers Impassioned Speech At the BET Awards Calling for Justice and Equality
Watch the video above to see Williams have a frank discussion with Pinellas officer Mike Hawkins about the police force in his hometown, as well as the underrepresentation of African Americans in its ranks.
Meanwhile, Williams has been an outspoken advocate for justice and racial equality.
The actor's powerful, politically-charged, Humanitarian Award acceptance speech at the BET Awards earned both praise and condemnation. Speaking to ET at the event, Williams said he'd hoped to deliver a message for those who need to be heard.
"I'm here for all the incredible protestors, activists, attorneys, organizers that are sacrificing [an] incredibly great deal to be heard and get access to equal rights and justice in this country," he shared. "[The BET Awards] recognizing me is really recognizing them in my view, and I think that means that we're getting traction."
Watch the video below for more.
America Divided premieres on EPIX on Sept. 30 at 9/8c.