Bill Cosby Demands Howard University Support Professor Who Cheered His Release

Bill Cosby issued a statement Sunday demanding that Howard University support a professor who celebrated his release from prison, Fox News reported.

Cosby said Phylicia Rashad, his longtime TV wife and dean of Howard University’s fine arts college, must have her “Freedom of Speech” supported by the university, according to a statement obtained by Fox News. “Which is taught or suppose to be taught every day at that renowned law school, which resides on your campus.”

Howard University released a statement Wednesday denouncing Rashad after supporting Cosby’s release from prison and his sexual assault conviction being overturned. Rashad’s comments were insensitive towards survivors of sexual assault, the university said.

Cosby also compared media outlets to rioters who went into the Capitol in January to overturn the 2020 election, according to Fox News. He claimed those outlets are “trying to demolish the Constitution of these United State of America,” according to Fox News.

“This mainstream media are the Insurrectionists, who stormed the Capitol,” Cosby wrote, according to Fox News. “NO TECHNICALITY — IT’S A VIOLATION OF ONES RIGHTS & WE THE PEOPLE STAND IN SUPPORT OF MS. PHYLICIA RASHAD.”

In a deleted tweet, Rashad called Cosby’s release a “miscarriage of justice” corrected. Rashad later followed up with a second tweet Wednesday saying she supports survivors of sexual assault coming forward.

“My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth,” Rashad said. “Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.”

“Personal positions of University leadership do not reflect Howard University’s policies. We will continue to advocate for survivors fully and support their right to be heard,” the Howard University said in its statement. “Howard will stand with survivors and challenge systems that would deny them justice. We have full confidence that our faculty and school leadership will live up to this sacred commitment.”