Nicole Richie pays touching tribute to Philando Castile in poignant Father's Day message

Stephanie Soteriou

The celebrities were out in force on social media yesterday, with the stars paying tribute to their own dads or the father of their children in a collection of touching Father’s Day messages.

However, Nicole Richie used the poignant day to make more of a political statement, honouring Philando Castile in her message to adoptive father Lionel Richie.

Nicole took Father’s Day as an opportunity to show her solidarity.
Nicole took Father’s Day as an opportunity to show her solidarity.

Just two days ago the Minnesota police officer, Jeronimo Yanez, who shot dead 32-year-old Philando Castile during a traffic stop was found not guilty, sparking protests across the city of St. Paul.

Sharing a throwback photo of herself with Lionel, Nicole wrote: “#HappyFathersDay L-Train. You lift me up & keep me smiling. I am lucky to have you.

“Not everyone gets to celebrate today. To the 4 year old daughter of #PhilandoCastile & every child who’s father has been taken from them: I see you, & my heart is linked with yours today and EVERY DAY because #weareone”.

#HappyFathersDay L-Train. ???????? You lift me up & keep me smiling. I am lucky to have you. Not everyone gets to celebrate today. To the 4 year old daughter of #PhilandoCastile & every child who's father has been taken from them: I see you, & my heart is linked with yours today and EVERYDAY because #weareone

A post shared by Nicole Richie (@nicolerichie) on Jun 18, 2017 at 9:08am PDT

The former reality star was quickly inundated with thanks by her followers, with many of Nicole’s fans grateful that she’d used her platform to speak out against the injustice.

One wrote: “Thanks, so much, for speaking out about #PhilandoCastile, @nicolerichie ! Your solidarity speaks volumes!”.

Another added: “That caption means everything! Thank you for using your voice!”

The tragic shooting, which took place in July last year, was live-streamed on Facebook by Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, with the footage showing Castile covered in blood as Yanez pointed his gun at him.

Jeronimo Yanez, left, shot dead Philando Castile.
Jeronimo Yanez, left, shot dead Philando Castile.

The video was viewed by millions of people across the world and understandably ignited international outrage with Castile being one of many black men to lose his life at the hands of US police, many were also enraged when they learned that Diamond’s four-year-old daughter was sitting in the backseat of the car at the time.

Yanez was charged with second-degree manslaughter in November but found not guilty after 30 hours of deliberation on Friday [16 June].

Castile’s heartbroken mother, Valerie, told reporters: “I’m mad as hell right now. Yes, I am. The system continues to fail black people.

Castile’s heartbroken mother and sister sobbed following the not guilty verdict.
Castile’s heartbroken mother and sister sobbed following the not guilty verdict.

“I am so disappointed in the state of Minnesota. My son loved this state, my son loved this city and this city killed my son.”

Nicole is not the first celebrity to speak out in support of Philando Castile’s family, with actress Bette Midler previously sharing her dismay at the not guilty verdict on Twitter.

The star wrote: “WTF? The cop who we SAW murder Philando Castile gets off and Bill Cosby, who drugged and raped for years, does too. #whathappenedtojuries?”