Russell Brand, jailed for rape and sexual assault, has used his X account from prison to promote a change.org petition calling for his release, which has already gathered thousands of signatures.
Brand promotes petition from prison
On Monday, the former entertainer was imprisoned for 10 years and six months after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. In court, the judge criticised Brand's "staggering arrogance" and labelled him a "sexual predator" who exploited his status to target fans. Mr Justice Bentham accused the star of showing a "casual, arrogant disregard for any woman's right to say no".
Brand has now thrown his weight behind a newly-launched change.org petition using his X social media account. He posted a link to the petition, alongside the hashtag '#FreeRussellBrand'. The image tied with the petition is of Brand and his wife, Laura Gallacher, outside the court with the caption 'justice for all'.
Petition and social media bans
The petition already has 11,545 signatures and calls for Brand's 'right to challenge his convictions through lawful appeal procedures to be fully respected'. The petition adds: "This is an independent supporter-led campaign. It is not affiliated with or authorised by Russell Brand or his legal representatives."
The social media post from Brand comes after he has been removed from Instagram and Facebook with his accounts deleted by Meta. Posting just two days after being sent down at HMP Wandsworth, Brand's X account, which has 10 million followers, posted: "There never was a Russell Brand, according to Meta. Thank God for Elon Musk." "Stay tuned," the post ended, hinting at more to come.
Alongside the message, Brand's account reshared an email from Meta which read: "We disabled your account. You no longer have access to russellbrand." Giving an explanation as to why, it continued: "Your account, or activity on it, doesn’t follow our Community Standards. No one can see or find your account, and you can’t use it. All your information will be permanently deleted."
Prior to its suspension, the former comedian's Instagram account had over 5 million followers, while his Facebook account had 6.2 million followers.
Musk's support and victim impact
X owner Elon Musk has long been a supporter of Brand since the allegations of his sex offences emerged in 2023. Prior to sentencing on Monday, the billionaire shared an outrageous graphic of Brand alongside another rapist with quotation marks around the comedian's convictions and suggested he was facing "potential life in jail". Musk wrote above the retweeted graphic: "Unjust."
During Monday's sentencing, the court heard from the victim that Brand was convicted of anally raping her in 2009, after meeting her at a comedy show in Hammersmith. She said she "struggled to sleep and eat" and to "cope with my emotions" after the attack. The victim said she had to take time away from work and live with her parents. "I am living with trauma and something I carry every day", she told the court.
The woman's confidence and self esteem were left "badly affected" and she no longer trusts her instincts, she said. The woman also explained that one of the worst parts of what happened was her fear that she might have contracted HIV. After the incident she was in significant pain, the statement read.
"His fame... wealth created a power imbalance," she added, and his public profile made it difficult for her to move on. Adding: "He was so powerful, rich and influential."
Another one of Brand’s victims returned to court to deliver her victim impact statement on Monday, and said she felt "physically sick" watching him soar to fame after he groped her within minutes of meeting her in a Soho bar in 2004. The attack left her feeling like "damaged goods", she told the court. Speaking from behind a screen to protect her anonymity she said: "For many years as his star was rising it was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behaviour against women like it was all a joke. There were many times I felt physically sick at the sight of him parading around thinking he can get away with anything."
