Two US senators have denounced the homophobic and racist attack on Empire star Jussie Smollett, calling it a "modern day lynching".
Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, who are both African-American, have used Tuesday's attack as evidence that Congress should support an Anti-Lynching bill introduced by the pair last year.
"This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate," Ms Harris wrote on Twitter.
"To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention," added Mr Booker.
The actor and singer was hospitalised in Chicago after being attacked by two men who approached him yelling out "racial and homophobic slurs" as he was on his way to get food at 2am on Tuesday morning.
Local police confirmed they were treating the incident, in which Smollett had an "unknown chemical substance" poured on him and a rope tied around his neck, as a hate crime.
TMZ reported that the men had allegedly also shouted "this is MAGA country", in reference to Donald Trump's slogan.
Smollett transported himself to the hospital and is described as being in "good condition".
The dropped charges prompted a furious response from Chicago Police chief Eddie Jones and Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel. Source: Getty Images
According to US broadcaster ABC News, the FBI is assiting with the investigation of a threat sent to Smollett the morning before the attack.
The actor and singer was in Chicago ahead of a concert he was set to perform on Saturday. He had posted on Instagram late Monday night saying he had arrived in the city "after spending 7 hours on a plane for a 2 hour flight".
"We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our Empire family, Jussie Smollett, was viciously attacked last night," 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment said in a statement.
Jussie Smollett and guest star Toby Onwumere in an episode of Empire. Source: Getty Images
"We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice. The entire studio, network and production stands united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate - and especially against one of our own."
Empire co-creator Lee Daniels expressed his outrage in a tearful social media video.
"You didn't deserve, nor anybody deserve, to have a noose put around your neck, to have bleach thrown on you," he said to the camera.
"You are better than that, we are better than that, America is better than that."
"The terror of racism and homophobia has no place in our society, it is the most indecent way to live," the other Empire co-creator, Danny Strong, said on Twitter.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) also released a statement on the incident: "GLAAD reached out to Fox and Jussie's team today to offer assistance as well as support for him. Jussie is a true champion for LGBTQ people and is beloved by the community and allies around the world."
Smollett received rave reviews for his breakout role as Jamal Lyon on Empire. The character publicly came out as gay during the show's record-breaking first season. Smollett himself came out during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres in 2015.
