Celebrity

Amber Heard Supporters Explain Why They Defend Her in Johnny Depp Trial

Here's a look at why Amber Heard supporters are standing outside the courthouse and wanting to have their voices heard.

by Jeff Nelson

Published on May 24, 2022

2 min read

Amber Heard supporters are in the minority in a social media frenzy

Amber Heard leaving the Johnny Depp trial where supporters are waiting. She's wearing a black jacket and holding her phone.

Amber Heard | Cliff Owen/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty Images

The Heard and Depp trial continues to consume social media, as they discuss the actors, their legal teams, and their witnesses. However, the public opinion is massively in favor of Depp, leaving Heard supporters in the far minority. Various social media influencers also continue to poke fun at the trial with most of them expressing support for Depp.

Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram have many discussions around the trial, but Twitter is the primary platform that Depp and Heard supporters are pursuing to post their opinions. However, other folks simply want the social media frenzy to come to an end, especially in a time where more important matters are at play, such as the attack on women’s rights.

Amber Heard supporters criticize ‘sick’ attacks online

The Law&Crime Network YouTube channel interviewed some of the Heard supporters outside of the courthouse. They wanted to discuss their viewpoint. There is a lot of controversy surrounding those who are defending the Aquaman actor. However, they rarely get the platform to adequately discuss where they’re coming from.

The video showcases two individuals standing outside of the courthouse. The first has a sign that reads “#IStandWithAmber” along with his Twitter handle at the top. Meanwhile, the second more recently engaged with the trial but takes a slightly different approach to her reasoning.

Heard supporters point to the vicious online attacks against the actor for why they are coming to her defense. The first supporter called the online attacks “very sad to see.” Meanwhile, the second says that it “breaks my heart” to see her treatment.

“She’s being forced to relive all of this in front of the world and they just hate her for it,” one Heard supporter said. “That breaks my heart. I mean, she leaves court every day and people just shout at her obscenities, saying, ‘I don’t believe you.’ Every day. People made it into a funny TikTok trend to dance and act out her sexual assault testimony. It’s just sick. That’s why I care.”

Additionally, the second Heard supporter talked about “mutual abuse” and why she doesn’t believe in it. She talked about how Depp had all of the power in their relationship because of his fame and riches.

Freedom of speech and opinion

Lack of media training could account for double-backed facts or shaky testimony, but as an actress, would Heard not have had media training? While not a criminal trial, I await the jury’s verdict, but @voguemagazine, let’s not jump the gun.#amberheard #JohnnyDeppVsAmberHeard pic.twitter.com/syieUc0KY8
— Corné Van Hoepen (@Cvanhoepen) May 20, 2022

Both Heard supporters talked about how free speech and opinion should work both ways. They saw a lot of Depp fans bashing Heard and they want their voices to be heard, as well. The first of the Heard supporters pointed to social media. However, they don’t feel that their voices are heard.

Regardless of the difference in opinion, the Heard supporter believes in peaceful conversations where both sides are heard out. Additionally, this is a big reason why the second of the Heard supporters decided to stand outside of the courthouse – to express her freedom of speech and opinion.

How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.