Jennifer Lawrence is urging her fans not to despair following Donald Trump's shock U.S. election win.

The Hunger Games star, an avid supporter of Trump's rival Hillary Clinton, was hoping to witness history on Tuesday (08Nov16) with the election of America's first female president, and like many she's still coming to terms with Trump's victory at the polls.

But the actress is determined to stay strong and she is hoping her fans will come together to bring about change in the first months of the Republican's presidency.

In an open letter published on the Broadly website on Thursday (10Nov16), she writes: "Is this the stark reality? It doesn't matter how hard you work or how qualified you are, at the end of the day, you're not a man? Is that what we just learned? This country was founded on immigration and today the only people that feel safe, that their rights are recognized and respected are white men."

Addressing the protests that have swept through America's major cities since Trump's win, she adds: "We shouldn't blame anyone, we shouldn't riot in the streets. We should think strongly and clearly about what to do next because we cannot change the past."

Jennifer is also urging her fans to take time to learn about the ways they can help causes fighting to protect the planet, women, immigrants, and communities of different races and ethnicities - the issues America's new leader attacked during his campaign.

"I don't know what I would tell my daughter if I were you, except to have hope, to work for the future," she writes.

"We're all allowed to be sad that the present isn't what we thought it was, but we mustn't be defeated... Like Hillary, you can still be an inspiration and get important things done. Do not let this defeat you - let this enrage you! Let it motivate you! Let this be the fire you didn't have before."