Megan Thee Stallion tells of ‘public humiliation’ after testifying at trial

By City News Service

Megan Thee Stallion broke her silence Tuesday about the Los Angeles trial in which rapper Tory Lanez was found guilty of shooting her in the foot, saying she survived being shot by someone she trusted and overcame the “public humiliation of having my name and reputation dragged through the mud.”

In an essay published on the Elle magazine website, the singer born Megan Pete said she didn’t consider herself a victim.

“As I reflect on the past three years, I view myself as a survivor, because I have truly survived the unimaginable,” she wrote. “Not only did I survive being shot by someone I trusted and considered a close friend, but I overcame the public humiliation of having my name and reputation dragged through the mud by that individual for the entire world to see.”

Lanez was found guilty in December of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. Pete had to undergo surgery to have bullet fragments removed from her left heel.

Key issues

Both parties agreed not to disclose the terms of the tentative agreements as negotiations continue.

The negotiations are not without tension as PMA accused ILWU Local 13 of withholding labor that shut down terminals throughout the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for two days. PMA further accused the union of delaying the standard dispatch process, which is jointly administered by PMA and ILWU, and refused to allow PMA’s participation in the labor dispatch process.

PMA said ILWU’s actions slowed the start of operations throughout the Southern California port complex and forced crucial cargo handling equipment to be taken out of operation at several key terminals.

“This latest work action comes about a month after ILWU Local 13 in Southern California stopped complying with a contract provision providing employers the right to assign staggered shifts during meal periods so cargo can continue to be received and delivered without interruption,” said the PMA in a statement.

However, ILWU Local 13 attributed the dockworker shortage to union members attending its monthly meeting and observing religious holidays.

“On the evening of Thursday, April 6, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13 held its monthly membership meeting as is its contractual right,” the statement read.

At the meeting, outgoing President Ramon Ponce de Leon swore in incoming

The jury that heard the case in downtown Los Angeles courtroom returned with guilty verdicts after seven hours of deliberations. Many Lanez fans insisted on social media that Pete lied on the witness stand, and various conspiracy theories made the rounds.

“When the guilty verdict came on Dec. 23, 2022, it was more than just vindication for me, it was a victory for every woman who has ever been shamed, dismissed, and blamed for a violent crime committed against them,” Pete wrote.

The Grammy Award- winning singer added that “some of my peers in the music industry piled on with memes, jokes, and sneak disses, and completely ignored the fact that I could have lost my life.”

Pete wrote that just “because you are in a bad situation doesn’t mean you are a bad person. Our value doesn’t come from the opinions of other people. As long as you stand your ground and live in your truth, nobody can take your power.”

A sentencing date for Lanez has not been scheduled. He is seeking a new trial.

President Gary Herrera, with several thousand union members in attendance.

“On Friday, union members who observe religious holidays took the opportunity to celebrate with their families,” the ILWU statement read. “Cargo operations are ongoing as longshore workers at the ports remain on the job.”

ILWU did not respond