As members of the sports world flood the internet paying respect for George Floyd, NBA great Michael Jordan and Formula One star, Lewis Hamilton, have expressed shock and shown respect in memory of George Floyd.
American basketball legend, Michael Jordan, released a statement on Sunday via his Charlotte Hornets, expressing his grief over the murder.
“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry. I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough,” Jordan said.
Jordan expressed his condolence to Floyd’s family and others who have lost their lives in the same brutal ways due to racism and injustice.
“My heart goes out to the family of George Floyd and to the countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice.”
Jordan, Basketball Hall Famer also in his statement emphasized the need for unity and called for end of brutal treatments of people.
“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others. We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality,” he said.
Others like Marcus Thuram of Borussia Mönchengladbach also added their voices to the call for justice for Floyd.
Thr only black F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton, has accused players in his team for their silence over Floyd’s killing.
“I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice.
“Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport.
“I’m one of the only people of color there yet I stand alone. I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can’t stand alongside us,” he said.
He however in a separate post said that he was against burning houses and looting by many protesters and therefore encouraged peaceful protest.
“I do not stand with those looting and burning buildings but those who are protesting peacefully,” he twitted.
Following Hamilton’s post, many F1 drivers have responded publicly.
For example, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc among others responded in a tweet, “To be completely honest, I felt out of place and uncomfortable sharing my thoughts on social media about the whole situation and this is why I haven’t express myself earlier than today. And I was completely wrong.”
“Please be actively participating, engaging and encouraging others to spread awareness. It is our responsibilities to speak out against injustice. Don’t remain silent. I stand #BlackLivesMatters,” he urged.
Daniel Ricciardo, a Renault driver also condemned racism and called for justice and unity.
“Racism is toxic and needs to be addressed not with violence or silence but with unity and action,” he wrote on Instagram.
Nicholas Latifi, Canadian, potential driver for Willimas this season, in his own words said in a tweet, “This has to stop” and hashtagged #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd.
Protests over Floyd’s death have spread through the United States and Europe as a number of protesters stormed London street and headed to the US Embassy demanding justice and calling for end of racim.”
