‘We’ve had enough’ — Michael Jordan, Rashford, Lewis Hamilton react to George Floyd’s death

Michael Jordan, NBA legend, says he is “deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry” over the death of George Floyd, a black American who died after an officer knelt on his neck.

Floyd died in Minneapolis on May 25, after an arrest by a police officer, who pinned him to the ground for several minutes by kneeling on his neck.

His death has triggered a wave of outrage and violent protests on social media platforms and across the US in the past days.

Joining the growing number of prominent persons who have expressed support for the ongoing protests against police brutality, Jordan, owner of Charlotte Hornets, said he’s with those who are calling out the “ingrained racism and violence” toward people of colour in the US, adding that “we have had enough.”

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— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) May 31, 2020

“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 colour in our country. We have had enough,” Jordan said in a statement.

“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. We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability.

“Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.

“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.”

BLACK LIVES MATTER, SAYS RASHFORD

Marcus Rashford, Manchester United forward, also took to his social media page to say that he had been “trying to process what is going on in the world”.

“At a time I’ve been asking people to come together, work together and be united, we appear to be more divided than ever,” he wrote on Monday.

#blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/LSEeQ61YRz

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— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) June 1, 2020

“People are hurting and people need answers. Black lives matter. Black culture matters. Black communities matter. We matter.”

SANCHO CALLS FOR JUSTICE

On Sunday, Jadon Sancho, Rashford’s England team-mate, had celebrated the first of his hat-trick in Borussia Dortmund’s win against Paderborn with a t-shirt carrying the message: “Justice for George Floyd”.

First professional hat trick 🙏🏼. A bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change. We have to come together as one & fight for justice. We are stronger together! ❤️ #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/ntOtwOySCO

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— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) May 31, 2020

HAMILTON SLAMS F1 FOR STAYING SILENT ON FLOYD DEATH

Lewis Hamilton, Formula One star and six-time world champion, also strongly condemned the silence from his sport over the killing of Floyd.

“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,” said Hamilton. “Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport.

https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/1266735322341277697

“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.”