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After days of protests against racism and police violence in the United States, ex-basketball player Michael Jordan, who is usually apolitical, also speaks out.
The 57-year-old six-time NBA champion expresses his sympathy to the family of African American George Floyd, who died as a result of a brutal police operation.
«I am deeply sad, really tormented and just angry. I see and feel everyone’s pain, indignation and anger, »Jordan introduces his statement published via his spokeswoman. The former Chicago Bulls superstar says he has no answers. You have to listen to each other, show unity and never turn your back on senseless violence.
“I can not breathe”
Floyd had been knocked to the ground for minutes by a Minneapolis policeman last week. He said “I cannot breathe” several times and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The scene had been filmed by passers-by. The police involved ignored their protests and indications of Floyd’s deteriorating condition. The man who pushed Floyd to the ground has now been charged with murder.
“A problem for mankind”
Jordan joins the ranks of prominent (ex) athletes in the United States who have publicized their anger and concern since the incident last Monday. The basketball greats Stephen Curry and LeBron James were active in the social networks very early on.
In addition to Jordan’s former club, the Chicago Bulls, LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers also commented on Sunday. He also referred to the riots that have replaced the previously mostly peaceful protests in recent days. This reaction to Floyd’s death has been in the making for decades, Rivers writes. Too often people condemned the reaction to something and not the trigger. “Being black in America is hard,” wrote Rivers, emphasizing in the same text. «This is not an African American problem. That is a problem for mankind. »
